Sustainability-report-2021.pdf by greenyard

Sustainability Report 2020/2021

Improving life.

GREENYARD’S SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY 8 Our purpose

Sustainability highlights 2020/2021 Greenyard at a glance Greenyard’s integrated value chain

12 13 14

Our Sustainability Roadmap 2025

Sustainability model Sustainability pillars Building on current commitments Key commitments and targets for 2025 Stakeholder engagement Materiality assessment Our contribution to the UNs SDGs

17 19 19 20 23 25 26

ABOUT THIS REPORT

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS Giving back to nature Greenyard sustainable agriculture Responsible and sustainable sourcing Organic Farmer Group Our growers Better for Nature & Farmer A place to be(e) Sharing our expertise Commitment to Sustainability Initiative Fruit and Vegetables (SIFAV)

32 33 36 38 40 41 42 42 43 43

IMPROVING OUR FOOTPRINT

Climate action Water stewardship Zero waste Sustainable packaging Improving sustainability on a daily basis Cooling tower upgrade First step on the road to e-mobility New engine room for Greenyard Frozen Tackling water scarcity in Flanders

45 47 49 52 54 56 56 57 57

TEAMING UP WITH CUSTOMERS

Supporting healthy lifestyles Moerman’s Ladder Focus on creativity and innovation Battling food waste Go for more! Innovating for a healthier future Closer to the markets we serve

59 60 61 63 64 66 66

SOLID FOUNDATIONS

Governance Diversity & ethical business behaviour Food safety, quality & traceability Employee health, safety & well-being

68 70 72 73

DATA TABLES

GRI CONTENT INDEX

This Sustainability Report is a non-audited complement to the Annual Report for the financial year 2020/2021 that we have published on 15 June 2021. It focuses on several non-financial facts and figures for the same financial year. The report provides our stakeholders with an insight into our sustainability strategy and transparent information on our performance. We welcome all suggestions and ideas on how we can further improve. The Sustainability Report relates to our entire company, including all of our subsidiaries, except for subsidiaries divested in the course of the financial year (Greenyard Logistics Portugal) and subsidiaries in which the company has only minority shareholdings. Non-financial figures in the report refer to the financial year 2020/2021, unless otherwise specified. The report has been prepared in accordance with the core option of the Global Reporting Initiative Standard and meets the requirements of the EU Directive on non-financial reporting. The most recent previous report was published in November 2020. Regulated information – 14 September 2021 © GREENYARD - All rights reserved

MESSAGE FROM THE CO-CEOS

Message from the co-CEOs

Business as usual is no longer an option. We are in a unique position to make a real difference in our industry.

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Dear readers, growers, customers, employees,

This unique way of working enables consumers

production plans. This way of working allows us

business partners and shareholders,

to buy our healthy products all year round, in

to permanently optimise supply and to ensure

fresh, frozen or prepared form – across the globe.

the road from field to fork is always as short and efficient as possible.

Improving life. Connecting fork to field Our purpose perfectly captures what Greenyard

“Food value chains are complex. If we want to make a real sustainable impact, we also need strong collaboration throughout this entire food value chain. We cannot take this path alone.” Marc Zwaaneveld, co-CEO Greenyard

We cannot do this alone. Food value chains are complex. They are global systems that can only

wants to achieve as a company. As a connecting

Matching demand with supply is vital in build-

be changed for the better when approached in

partner we continuously strive to be a driving

ing increasingly sustainable food value chains.

a systematic way, and through joint efforts with

force towards healthier lifestyles and ever more

At Greenyard, contrary to classical supply

all parties involved. If we want to make a real

sustainable food value chains.

driven approaches, we connect fork to field.

sustainable impact, we need strong collabo-

Everything starts with the actual demand at

ration throughout this entire food value chain.

The past year has shown the vulnerability of

the consumer side. By teaming up with our cus-

humanity and the interdependence between

tomers, we understand what people want to

That is why our new Sustainability Roadmap

countries, companies, and people. It also

eat, how, where, and when. With these insights,

2025 is built on three key pillars, connecting all

illustrated the strength and the resilience of

we engage with our growers to build tailored

parts of the food value chain.

Greenyard’s connected food value chain. Our integrated business model is built on a solid and global network of dedicated growers and on close collaboration with engaged retailers, who have a strong focus on sustainability. Our passionate and skilled employees ensure that these both ends of the food value chain remain smoothly connected, every day again.

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1 Building sustainable food supply chains -

2 Improving our own environmental foot-

innovative projects to improve our footprint. A

ensuring the highest environmental and social

print - working towards a lower carbon and water

new cooling tower at our Prepared division will

standards

footprint

save 50 million litres of drinking water per year;

Environmental and social compliance is man-

The lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic

will bring significant energy savings in coming

datory for all our partners, and throughout the

influenced consumption patterns. Productions

years. Additionally, multiple projects to reduce

entire food value chain. Simply said: we com-

of additional volumes in our Prepared and Fro-

packaging materials have been implemented,

mit to good and fair working conditions for all

zen divisions and the implementation of strict

and several other projects to save energy were

workers, whilst fostering nature. Concretely, we

corona measures, resulted in lower energy

launched. Reducing our own environmental

source our products from farmers who work

efficiency compared to previous years. Despite

footprint is, and will remain, a key priority for

according to our high standards of environmen-

this complex situation, we invested in several

Greenyard.

the new engine room at our Frozen division

tal and social sustainability. We want to lead by

“Greenyard is at the very heart of the transition towards healthier lifestyles, with products that form the basis for healthy and plant-based diets. This entails an undeniable responsibility to act as a driving force towards ever more sustainable food systems.” Hein Deprez, co-CEO Greenyard

example, which is why we have stretched our target to have 100% of our growers certified by 2025. Not only in high-risk, but also in medium-risk countries. Furthermore, signing the new EU Code of Conduct for Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices earlier this year, clearly amplified our ambition as a driver of positive change in the industry.

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3 Teaming up with our customers - promoting healthy and sustainable food concepts

have the capability to further maximise these synergies. Simultaneously, the time is right to value the true cost for high quality products of nature, and a

Our integrated customer model based on long-

sustainable and responsible food value chain.

term relationships is unique. It is crucial to achieving a more sustainable food value chain. This way of working enables us to jointly develop healthy and

Challenges and dilemmas for our industry

sustainable food concepts, making healthy food choices ever more accessible for consumers. It also

Fruit and vegetables have a lower environmental

allows us to create shorter and more efficient supply

footprint compared to other food categories. There

chains, to the benefit of everyone involved, from

is clear consensus that they are essential if we are

grower to consumer. This close collaboration is key

to meet the world’s rising demand for food, while

if we want to realise our ambitious commitments.

respecting planetary boundaries. At the same time, our industry is also highly dependent on nature itself

Our Sustainability Roadmap 2025 allows us to fur-

and the health of our planet, as well as on favourable

ther accelerate on this indispensable topic. It will

climate conditions. Clearly, growing fruits and vege-

also enable us to continuously explore areas where

tables is a critical, yet fragile activity.

sustainability and economy go hand in hand. Less waste or lower use of energy automatically translates into a decreased cost. These are concrete opportunities. Thanks to our integrated business model, increased digitisation, and joint efforts, we

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We do see a growing awareness for the impact

We have not just stretched the commitments

We embrace this, and we are confident our

of climate change, as well as for the challenge

we have been working on over the past years,

company-wide efforts will pay off. We will

of feeding a growing world population. In par-

including climate change, water, zero waste

deliver on our promise to improve life: life of

allel, we are obviously confronted with sev-

and social responsibility. We added new ambi-

people through healthier lifestyles, life of our

eral dilemmas linked to the urgent transition

tious targets. Today, these targets are already

employees and life of our business partners.

towards more sustainable food value chains.

embedded in all our activities, ensuring sus-

And, of course, life on earth, as we continuously

Solving these dilemmas will inevitably lead to

tainability is at the heart of everything we do. In

take care of our planet.

price increases; this we cannot ignore. It will

parallel, several internal projects are being set

enable growers to invest in various sustainability

up to help strengthen our governance structure,

Through the sustainability report you have at

initiatives – safeguarding the invaluable source

better measure our performance and manage

hand, we invite you to discover how we make

of healthy fruit and vegetables: our planet, with

our continuous improvement on Environment,

this ambition tangible, through smart invest-

healthy soils and rich in biodiversity.

Social & Governance (ESG) matters.

ments and impactful projects. It illustrates how we take up our responsibility to improve life of

We need to accept that a more sustainable food value chain will simply require investments from

current and of future generations, and this on Embracing our responsibility

a day-to-day basis.

Greenyard is at the very core of the transition

Hein Deprez, Marc Zwaaneveld

towards healthier lifestyles. Together with our

co-CEOs Greenyard

our current generation.

Sustainability at the heart of our strategy

customers, we bring a wide range of healthy and plant-based products to consumers, every

Sustainability is an integral part of our business

day. We acknowledge, that our unique posi-

strategy. With the new Sustainability Roadmap

tion right at the centre of the food value chain,

2025 and our new set of commitments, we are

does not only bring many opportunities. It also

now accelerating our sustainability journey.

entails an undeniable responsibility to act as a driving force towards ever more sustainable food systems.

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Greenyard’s sustainability journey It is our ambition to be a driving force in the much needed transition to healthier lifestyles and more sustainable food value chains.

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ing the world’s growing population with healthy

depleting our planet and our natural resources

food. Greenyard has been contributing to this

and even jeopardising future food production.

transition for many years by promoting a higher

ity to be part of a shift towards improved life. For people on this planet, and for the planet itself.

But this is not enough. We will also need to

) on

qu an lob ti f ica al ti

LAND - SYS T CHANGE EM

Sustainable food value chains

(no

gl o ba lq ua n

TOSPHERIC STRA DEPLETION NE OZO

recognise this, and we embrace our responsibil-

Fu n div ctio er na sit (no y g

consumption of fruit and vegetables.

option. A major shift is needed, both in the way we consume and produce food. At Greenyard, we

tic ne Ge ersity div

N EN OV TIT E I

n) tio ica tif

Continuing with business as usual is no longer an

RE HE Y SP GRIT TE

BI IN O

beyond planetary boundaries. We are rapidly

CLIMATE CHANGE

while providing a sustainable solution to feed-

Today’s global food value chains are operating

A major shift among consumers towards a more

may sometimes feel like a step backwards from

plant-based diet, with a much lower environ-

the hyper-efficient agricultural practices many

mental impact, can help tackle climate change

farmers currently use.

Current agricultural practices will eventually destroy the valuable ecosystems they depend on. It is the great paradox of today’s so-called efficient food systems.

(

Ph os ph oru s

Nitrog en

B IO GE O CHE FLO MICAL WS

Beyond zone of uncertainty (high risk) In zone of uncertainty (increasing risk) Below boundary (safe) Boundary not yet quantified

A AE TMO RO S P S O HE L L RIC OAD ING

specific focus on biodiversity. This transition

no g

move towards regenerative farming with a

lob al

benefit both people and planet. We need to R TE WA SH F RE USE

Healthier lifestyles

qu ant ifict ion)

invest in sustainable food value chains that

AN OCE TION FICA ACIDI

Source: Steffen et al. Planetary Boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet, Science, 16 January 2015. Design: Globaia

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Our purpose At Greenyard, we want to be a driving force in the transition to healthier and more sustainable food supply chains. Our purpose is based on our position in three important areas.

of biodiversity. It is important that everyone recognises that these valuable ecosystems are under extreme pressure and have degraded over the past decades. Our key targets on climate action, water, (food) waste and packaging are designed around this belief and will help to improve our own footprint.

1 We see it as our duty to pass on our

2 We value the hard work and natural

planet and its fertile soils to future genera-

resources that are required to grow our fruit

tions in the same, and preferably even better,

and vegetables and recognise the need to min-

condition than today. Our growers’ livelihoods

imise food waste. Within the total food supply

depend heavily on the availability of healthy soil,

chain from field to fork more than 30% of all

biodiversity, fresh water and the right climate

food is wasted. This amounts to more than 1.3

conditions. They are directly affected by the

billion tonnes globally. The integrated partner-

consequences of global warming and the loss

ship model we have developed over the years

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enables us to better match supply and demand

To achieve a true sustainable solution, we need

and thus avoid food waste throughout the

everyone in the food value chain, from start to

entire chain. It establishes a direct connection

finish and back. An absolute necessity to obtain

between the needs of end consumers and the

a real, future-proof solution for this most dif-

production of our growers.

ficult theme lies with consumers: they too will have to recognise the actual value of (fresh) pro-

3 We recognise the complexity of social

duce and it is part of our responsibility to educate

aspects in the global food supply chain. A large

and convince them to pay an inclusive, true price

part of the global workforce is employed in agri-

for their products. Sustainability is a joint effort.

culture – about 10% overall and in some rural areas even more than 30%. Many of them work for low wages, sometimes in difficult conditions.

Joining forces

This puts them in a vulnerable position. The inability to earn a fair and viable wage forces

We can only realise this transition if we join

farmers to try to maximise production and work

forces with all the other links in the food value

against nature. This also applies to developed

chain. The more people recognise the impor-

countries where arable land is expensive and

tance of the transition we need to make, the

farming is over-optimised, resulting in cropland

more we will achieve. Creating awareness and

that becomes less resilient. A poverty trap in

making the right choices when we buy our fruits

which nature loses out. That is why we joined

and vegetables will be crucial. Only then will we

SIFAV (Sustainability Initiative Fruit and Vegeta-

be able to unlock the unparalleled potential of

bles) to work with customers and other stake-

fruit and vegetables to create a healthier and

holders on this topic and why we decided to

more sustainable future for all.

have 100% of our growers in high and medium risk countries certified on social responsibility.

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Sustainability highlights 2020/2021

Bakker Barendrecht invests in new citrus line Bakker Barendrecht installed a fully automated citrus line in its new distribution centre in the Netherlands. The line one of the most advanced of its kind in Europe, resulting in improved quality, higher efficiency and reduced waste.

Greenyard Prepared upgrades cooling tower Through smart re-use of clean cooling water, Greenyard Prepared will save 50 million litres of water per year at its site in Bree, Belgium. A significant step in a region where water stewardship is becoming more important. Sustainable packaging for organic products A new packing station allows Greenyard Fresh Italy and Organic Farmer Group to introduce new and sustainable packaging solutions for its organic products, including plastic-free packaging for kiwis and pears and cellulose nets for citrus fruits.

Tackling water scarcity in Flanders Greenyard is participating in the Smart WaterUse project to identify water risks in Flanders. The project will help Flemish companies to manage their water resources in a smarter, more sustainable way.

Greenyard Frozen builds new engine room A new engine room in Comines, France allows Greenyard Frozen to increase its cooling capacity and double its production of frozen vegetables in France. The installation recovers 100% of the heat that would normally be lost.

Promoting pulses in a bid to reverse the protein balance by 2030 Greenyard engages in the Protein Shift covenant with the Flemish authorities promoting plant-based proteins. Its main aims are to increase the number of convenience product introductions based on pulses and actively inspire pulse-based recipes in its communications.

Sustainability Initiative Fruit and Vegetables 2025 Five Greenyard Fresh companies take part in a collaborative sustainability strategy with a focus on significantly reducing the environmental footprint across the supply chain, addressing social responsibility and strengthening due diligence and transparency.

LCA maps environmental impact of packaging Greenyard Frozen conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to determine the environmental impact of its packaging options. It provides both internal product managers and external customers with objective data to make the best decision.

Better for Nature & Farmer Greenyard’s Bakker division plays a leading role in Albert Heijn’s new Beter voor Natuur & Boer (‘Better for Nature & Farmer’) programme, which involves more than 200 growers in the Netherlands.

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Greenyard at a glance

Training hours

168,638 tonnes CO2-eq

Work accidents

304

(3% decrease LFL)

less energy per ton processed product YoY

nationalities

less water per ton processed product YoY

More than

94%

of revenues are F&V

More than

98%

of packaging is recyclable

product reformulations

organic certified products

More than

96,000 lab tests

fair trade certified products

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Connecting fork to field: Greenyard’s integrated value chain

customer

The power of Greenyard lies in the connections we make. Connecting the farms where the produce grows and the supermarkets or restau-

sourcing & service knowledge

customer expectations

rants where consumers enjoy healthy fruits and vegetables. Because of our scale, and our solid and extensive network of dedicated growers and long-term relationships with customers, we can offer a comprehensive and well-designed range of high-quality products which reflects modern day demands and makes fruit and vegetables more accessible, more convenient,

creating

consumer

and

and more affordable for everyone.

FRESH

sustainable food supply chain

FROZEN

grower partner

PREPARED

This unique position in the food supply chain has enabled us to broaden our (service) portfolio, shifting from a traditional trading company to a company with high added-value services, from new product development through rip-

added value products

services

ening to logistics and packaging, while ensuring the shortest possible food supply chain. And this to the benefit of all partners in that chain.

customer

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Sourcing - As close as possible, as far as necessary At Greenyard, we source our fruit and vegeta-

production plants. For those products that need

bles from a worldwide network of growers and

to travel longer distances from field to market,

suppliers. We have built strong and long-term

we focus on the closest and the best growing

relationships with many of them, resulting in a

regions. We source over 2,500,000 tonnes of

steady supply of high-quality products for our

fruit and vegetables from 90 countries, of which

customers. All frozen and prepared products

around 65% come from the EU.

come from fields within 100 kilometres of our

Greenyard product mix (by revenue)

Processed fruits: 1% Ready meaIs: 3% Other fruit: 7% Bananas: 8%

Field vegetables, incl. flowers: 20% Processed vegetables: 14%

Citrus: 10%

Greenhouse vegetables: 14%

Exotics: 10%

Deciduous fruit: 11%

All frozen and prepared products come from fields within 100 kilometres of our production plants.

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Operational footprint

THE NETHERLANDS

GERMANY

1. WADDINXVEEN 2+3. RIDDERKERK 4. VELDEN

At Greenyard, we have an extensive network of

UNITED KINGDOM

state-of-the-art distribution centres and processing facilities, spread across our core markets and our growing regions. By combining them with our sourcing and our technical expertise, we have developed the capacity to offer world-lead-

BELGIUM 1. LANGEMARK 2. WESTROZEBEKE 3. BOOM 4+5+6. SINT-KATELIJNE-WAVER 7. RIJKEVORSEL 8. BREE

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

7 3 4 5 6

GDANSK POZNAN ZABIA WOLA DĄBROWA CHEŁMIŃSKA LIPNO ADAMÓW

1 2

3 6

largest retailers and food service companies,

We collaborate closely with some of the world’s

CZECH REPUBLIC

helping them to expand their offerings, develop

FRANCE

new markets and successfully anticipate con-

ships with retailers allow us to keep the con-

PRAGUE

1. RUNGIS 2. AVIGNON 3. COMINES 4. MORÉAC

sumer trends. Long-term and solid relation-

AUSTRIA VIENNA

sumer top-of-mind in all our activities.

us to optimally link supply with the actual con-

POLAND

HAMBURG BREMERHAVEN DUISBURG LEIPZIG FRANKFURT EITTING MÜNCHEN

2 3

ing added-value services to our customers.

This unique way of working does not only allow

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

1. SPALDING 2. TONBRIDGE 3. BOSTON 4. KING’S LYNN

ITALY VERONA

USA SWEDESBORO

sumer demand, it also enables us – together 1

with our customers – to actively drive the shift towards healthier lifestyles and an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables. Always

SPAIN 2

1. VALENCIA 2. ALMERIA

working towards an ever more sustainable food value chain. Greenyard Fresh facility

Greenyard Frozen facility

Greenyard Prepared facility

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Our Sustainability Roadmap 2025 Sustainability model

sustainable proposition in the market. Through

Economic impact

a winning combination of inherently healthy

• Resilient & profitable business • Innovative healthy & sustainable food concepts • Customer oriented

Ou rp

Shareholders

Our

ple eo

products, made available in fresh, frozen and prepared form, we make it easier for everyone to enjoy the many benefits fruit and vegetables have to offer. At the same time, we support our

cu s

Regulators

rs me to

Greenyard is in a unique position to realise its purpose to improve life. As a major provider of fruit and vegetables, we stimulate healthier eating habits among consumers. As the connecting partner between our growers and our customers, we contribute to more sustainable ways of producing food that benefit everyone in the chain.

1 Our sustainability model starts with our

Healthy lifestyles

Fruit and vegetables are a food category with a relatively low environ-

r gr

o w e r s - Tra

mental impact. Nonetheless, our sector is currently operating beyond planetary boundaries. At Greenyard, we stimulate and support growers

largest players in fruit and vegetables, we can make a real impact, even with small steps in the

ers rtn

CREATING MORE SUSTAINABLE FOOD VALUE CHAINS

• Responsible sourcing • Fair business & equality • Health & well-being

Sup

Social impact

chains that foster nature. As one of the world’s

right direction.

IMPROVING LIFE Sustainable food chains

growers in creating more sustainable food value

Ecological impact • Climate change action • Improving our footprint • Respecting our planetary boundaries

ENABLING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES Fruit and vegetables are the foundation of any healthy diet, providing us with essential nutrients

Society

such as fibres, minerals and vitamins. Together with

in their efforts to make more efficient use of scarce water and energy

our customers, we make sure people to enjoy their

resources, and invest in cultivation methods that foster nature.

many benefits by making our products accessible, convenient and affordable.

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2 We can only be successful if we connect

different countries and regions have different

and team up with all actors in the food value

expectations, and we gladly respond to them,

chain. Our “fork to field” approach and our inte-

minimising waste on the one hand, and opti-

grated partnership model clearly differentiates

mising relationships with our growers on the

us from competitors. As the connecting partner

other, while responding to the specific needs

between our growers and our customers, we

of consumers across the globe.

are in a unique position to match supply and demand, reducing waste in the chain and create

3 All choices we make on our journey

sustainable food value chains that are beneficial

towards healthier lifestyles and more sustain-

to everyone involved.

able food value chains comply with relevant regulations and have a positive economic,

Starting from the actual end consumer demand,

ecological and social impact. This makes our

we contract the volumes needed and plan the

company a vital part of society and a sustainable

season with our dedicated growers. During the

investment for shareholders. Our sustainability

season, we are in constant contact with our

roadmap enables us to take our strategy to the

customers to adjust our plans, as nature still has

next level.

its own agenda. Sustainability is not just about a license to operAdditionally, thanks to our global scale and

ate, but about becoming a driving force for

our activities in fresh, frozen and prepared fruit

fundamental change in our sector and a source

and vegetables, we can offer growers solutions

of new business opportunities.

for larger parts of their harvests. Consumers in

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Sustainability pillars

2020/2021

Our Sustainability Roadmap helps us structure and manage our performance over the next five

Climate action

• Calculation company carbon footprint done • Disclosure of efforts through CDP (B-) • Projects/investments to save energy in our operations (eg engine room Frozen Comines)

Water stewardship

• Water risk assessment done for 46% of our grower base • Disclosure to CDP (B-) Water security • Projects to save or reuse water in our operations (eg cooling tower Prepared Bree)

Zero Waste

• • • •

Responsible sourcing

• lnsight in social compliance performance of our growers in High Risk countries (81%) • Training of growers (eg LatAm on Rain Forrest Alliance certification) • Active participation in Sustainable lnitiative Fruits & Vegetables

Governance

• Formal sustainability governance structure in place / Sustainability ambassadors all entities • Set up of a Sustainability Roadmap 2025 • Good performance on ESG ratings • External readiness check on data collection

years, including the current financial year. The roadmap is based on three pillars that are crucial to create more sustainable food value chains. 1 Responsible and sustainable sourcing in compliance with environmental and social standards. 2 Improving the environmental footprint of our own operations. 3 Teaming up with customers to develop and promote healthy and sustainable food concepts.

We support (a.o.)

The roadmap is supported by several internal programmes to further improve the measurement of sustainability KPIs, embed sustainability targets in our daily management and build a sustainability culture in our company.

Building on current commitments The roadmap builds on the four key commitments we have been working on over the past years, including climate change, water, zero waste and social responsibility, and on the governance structure that has been put in place. It is a living document that helps us reach our targets and a guiding

98% recyclable consumer packaging Participation in research projects (eg Circo pack) Development LCA tool for packaging Participation programs with customers to fight food waste

compass that keeps us moving in the right direction. Our performance over the past year – which was impacted by increased volumes and additional measures due to COVID-19 – shows we are taking important steps in the right direction. In this report you will find the stories behind our many projects and achievements.

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Key commitments and targets for 2025 The Greenyard Sustainability Roadmap takes

The valuable input from our customers – who

It goes without saying that it has been cre-

All input has been used to add new targets and

into account the diverse range of external views

pay close attention to environmental, social

ated in close collaboration with our divisions,

stretch our previous commitments to make our

on sustainability in the food sector we have

and governance matters – helped us to select

entities, and sustainability ambassadors. The

sustainability efforts more tangible and spe-

encountered over the years: conversations with

the most important topics. Finally, it is also

approach has been discussed at Board level and

cific. The new set of targets will be embedded

experts, learnings from projects we are involved

informed by the results from the materiality

is endorsed by Greenyard’s Board members and

across our activities during the current financial

in, knowledge gained at sector-related events

assessment we have carried out.

top management. Updates on the progress will

year to ensure sustainability is at the heart of

and seminars, EU policies and regulations, and

be an integral part of business updates given to

everything we do.

inspiration from other companies.

the Board by our management.

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Climate change – adaptation and mitigation Lower the water footprint of fruits and vegetables We will realise a 50% reduction of scope 1* and scope 2* CO2 emissions by 2025 compared to 2019

We will assess the water risks of all our growers by

We will realise a 70% reduction in

in our operations.

CO2 emissions by 2030, on track to become carbon neutral by 2050.

2025 and set up projects to optimise water usage

We will reduce our primary water intensity

by 10% (extra) by 2025. We will stimulate and incentivise our suppliers (scope 3*) to implement a Science Based

Targets approach on climate change.

Minimise food waste

Minimise the environmental footprint of our packaging

Ensure responsible and sustainable sourcing

We will reduce any avoidable food waste in our

own production by 25% by 2025 and by 50%

We will realise 100% recyclable packaging by 2025 and align our packaging with recycling

by 2030.

schemes in key markets to ensure actual recycling.

We will valorise all residual streams and

We will reduce the amount of packaging we use

by-product flows of our food production by 2025.

and optimise our packaging footprint without reducing shelf life (target to be defined). We will use 30% recycled material in non-

* scope 1: direct emissions / scope 2: indirect emissions – owned / scope 3: indirect emissions – not owned

food contact packaging by 2030.

We will grow to 100% certification

on social compliance of our grower base located in high and medium risk origins by 2025.

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Responsible & Sustainable Sourcing

Build a resilient and sustainable food chain and promote sustainable agriculture

Ensuring a sustainable food supply chain (environmental & social) and compliance

Our

ple o e

cu s

rs me to

Improve our environmental footprint

Ou rp

of our growers & suppliers

Healthy lifestyles

Aim for zero-waste & carbon neutral

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

(internal and with suppliers) / reduce water

IMPROVING LIFE

food concepts / ensure resilient revenues / build upon partnerships / innovation & new business opportunities

develop & promote healthy & sustainable

Create awareness at consumer level /

Team up with customers on ESG topics

r gr

o w e r s - Tra

ers rtn

Sup

Sustainable food chains

intensity / 100% recyclable packaging

o sp

Promote healthy lifestyles with a diet based on fruits & vegetables.

Minimise food waste, create awareness on the need to transform our food system

Reduce our foot print and build a resilient food supply chain while fostering nature respecting planetary boundaries.

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Stakeholder engagement As a responsible company, we commit to a sustainability strategy that reflects the views of our stakeholders

Stakeholder group

Engagement method

Organisations/Tools

Employees

• • • • •

• Employee communication : Newsflash, Around The Yard • Code of Conduct e-learning tool

Customers

• Business reviews with key customers • Daily contacts in the field (sales, quality, NPD, CSR, ...) • Customer audits & questionnaires

• • • •

Key Account Management Food safety: BRC, IFS, QS, ... Sustainability: CDP, Ecovadis Customer specific questionnaires

Growers & suppliers

• Communicate expectations on social, environmental and ethical topics through product specifications • Business reviews with key growers and suppliers • Due diligence & audits to evaluate supplier performance • Training

• • • • •

Greenyard quality agreements Greenyard sourcing connections Good Agricultural Practices: GlobalGAP, Vegaplan, ... Food safety: BRC, IFS, QS,... Social compliance: GRASP, Rainforest Alliance, SA8000, ...

Public organisations (industry associations, NGOs, policymakers, knowledge institutions)

• • • •

Board representation in industry associations Participation in working groups & stakeholder committees Meetings, roundtables and conferences Internships, lectures

• Industry associations: Freshfel, PMA, Profel, United Fresh, ... • Sustainability alliances: AWS, SBTi, SIFAV, The Shift, ... • Knowledge institutions: Flanders Food, KU Leuven, UGent, Wageningen University & Research, ...

Investors

• • • •

Information dispersion through different deliverables Bilateral contact via investor roadshows, conferences Support on equity research by brokers ESG questionnaires & ratings

• • • • •

and addresses the issues that really matter. To this end, our plans are shaped by a continuous dialogue with stakeholders and our knowledge of the impact of our activities along the value chain. At Greenyard, we are seeking to balance the various

Dedicated employee communications Management meetings Performance evaluation reviews Frequent feedback sessions Code of Conduct

expectations and interests of our stakeholders and we are a connecting force from the consumer back to the growers, or otherwise said: from fork to field. We always consider our external environment when doing business. It is important to understand which aspects of sustainability are the most relevant to each of our stakeholder groups and how to address them in the best way. Our main stakeholder groups include employees, customers, growers and suppliers, industry associations, policymakers, NGOs, knowledge institutions, and investors.

Annual report, press releases Capital market days Investor calls Equity research documents MSCI, Sustainalytics, Vigeo Eiris, Gaïa rating, Refinitiv, World Benchmarking Alliance

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As a leading player in fruit and vegetables, Greenyard actively engages in industry associations and stakeholder alliances to drive our industry forward. We devote time and resources to support both local and international organisations. Our senior experts and managers serve as board members or participate in a wide range of projects and working groups. We believe these initiatives are essential to effectively promote healthy lifestyles, stimulate innovation, and enable sustainable production and consumption of fruit and vegetables.

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In the coming year, we will perform a broader

nal stakeholders and experts, we have reviewed

materiality analysis, considering the latest

the main topics in our roadmap. Along with our

information on the EU Taxonomy and guidance

own internal materiality assessment, they con-

of a new EU Corporate Sustainable Report-

firmed the topics we are already working on are

ing Directive (EU-CSRD). It will include a dual

the right ones at this moment. The assessment

materiality approach, taking into account how

also demonstrated more attention to biodiver-

sustainability issues affect our business and our

sity is required the coming years. We have not

own impact on people and the environment.

yet set specific targets for this domain, as we are

The set-up of our current report already reflects

currently developing our position and our vision.

this way of thinking. We discuss various sustainability topics on a regular basis with our customers. Our share-

product quality & food safety responsible sourcing

climate change action

water management

packaging Importance for stakeholders

Based on conversations with internal and exter-

HIGH

Materiality assessment

(food) waste reduction

health & nutrition of products

business ethics

health & safety at work

sustainable agriculture (biodiversity) resilience of supply chain

customer satisfaction

innovation

employee satisfaction

holders, investors and financial partners show great interest in our sustainability performance as well. For regulators and policymakers, especially in the EU, the sustainability performance of companies in the food sector has always been tion for the sustainability of our company, as we believe it is an integral of our business and a defining factor for our future success.

MODERATE

important. We welcome the growing atten-

MODERATE

HIGH

Current or potential impact for greenyard / ability to influence favourable outcomes

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Our contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Improving life perfectly encapsulates our

This does not make us an NGO. We certainly

ambition to be a driving force in the transition

encounter dilemmas in doing our business, but it

towards healthier lifestyles and a more sustain-

is a sound and sustainable foundation on which

able food supply chain.

we can continue to build. As a global player, we recognise that anything we do has an impact

We believe we can truly add value to society

and we strive to be a purpose-driven company,

with our undeniably healthy products. By mak-

a connecting force in the food value chain.

ing fruit and vegetables more available and affordable, we improve people’s well-being

On the one hand, we connect with our global

and enable healthier lifestyles, with the added

network of dedicated growers – with whom we

benefit of reduced healthcare costs. By ensuring

often have long-term relationships – and pro-

that our fruit and vegetables are produced in a

vide them with a solid basis on which to run their

sustainable way, that nature is fostered and that

business. On the other hand, we connect with

all stakeholders involved in the food value chain

our customers to collaborate on environmental,

are respected, we generate a positive impact for

social and governance themes and to promote

everyone in that chain.

healthier lifestyles. Our long-term integrated relationships with customers provide the necessary trust and confidence to move towards more sustainable or even regenerative food value chains. ENVIRONMENTAL. Our main targets are focused on improving our own footprint. We aim to reduce our energy use, minimise food waste, optimise the water footprint of our products and increase the sustainability of our packaging. We use a science-based targets approach and reach out to our suppliers to reduce their environmental footprint in a similar way.

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GOVERNANCE. In everything we do, we operate according to our Greenyard Code of Conduct, which clearly defines how to act in a responsible and ethical manner. We have a clear management structure, with committed and informed managers who live our values and act according to our ethical framework. Our sustainability governance structure and our roadmap are supported by our senior management who regularly report to our Board of Directors on our sustainability performance.

Our business model contains many elements

and social impact are intertwined. That is why

that contribute to solving global issues. But

we have adopted the UN’s 17 Sustainable

we still have a long way to go and can only

Development Goals (SDGs) as a guiding com-

be successful if we embark on this journey

pass and selected four of them to focus on.

together with all our partners in the food value chain. Together, we must realise that we are

The SDGs are a clear call to action and seek

only borrowing our planet from future gen-

to mobilise global efforts around a common

erations and that we must try to hand it over

set of goals and targets. We believe the SDGs

without any debt.

can help government, business and civil society to work together to end poverty, hunger,

Sustainability is often limited to environmen-

environmental pollution, climate change and

tal impact, but in our view, economy, ecology

create a life of dignity and opportunity for all.

SOCIAL. Our products are an indispensable part of any healthy diet. Our aim is to make fruit and vegetables more accessible, convenient and affordable so that everyone can enjoy their many benefits and contribute to a healthier future for everyone. We do this with respect for everyone working with us in the food value chain, with a focus on safe workplaces and fair wages. We only work with suppliers who ensure compliance with social laws and regulations and who are committed to improving this performance.

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SDGs in focus SDG 2 – Zero Hunger

field” approach, supports this goal. Through

causing severe health problems and reducing

close collaboration with our worldwide network

life expectancy and quality. By simply eating

We want to make fruit and vege-

of growers, we are creating more sustainable

more fruit and vegetables, many people will

tables more accessible, conven-

food value chains with a focus on both environ-

be able to develop a healthier lifestyle. This will

ient and affordable, so everyone

mental and social aspects.

also result in lower healthcare costs for society,

can enjoy their many benefits. SDG 2 may be

especially when we consider the many diseases

strongly focused on the situation in develop-

In the coming years we want to further develop

ing countries, but we believe our efforts in our

our vision on biodiversity and regenerative

home markets actively contribute to this SDG,

farming and make our ambitions more explicit.

In this respect, we feel it would be appropriate

especially when working towards a food value

Today, we already support various efforts in this

to add specific targets to SDG 3 to stimulate

chain that is more sustainable in all respects.

domain, but we intend to add it as an integral

the move towards more plant-based diets and

part of our strategy in a joint effort with our

plant-based nutrition. In addition, plant-based

connected customers and growers.

nutrition has a much lower environmental foot-

In this respect, Goal 2.4 is most relevant to our

that can be directly attributed to poor nutrition.

business: By 2030, ensure sustainable food pro-

print and will allow us to build food systems that

duction systems and implement resilient agricultural

operate within planetary boundaries.

practices that increase productivity and produc-

SDG 3 – Good health and well-being

tion, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme

By promoting healthy lifestyles

weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and

and more plant-based diets, we

that progressively improve land and soil quality.

actively support SDG 3. Too many

This corresponds to the way we want to do busi-

people still rely on unhealthy diets which con-

ness. Our business model, based on a “fork to

tain too much saturated fat, sugar and salt,

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SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth A responsible and sustainable food supply chain can be explained in simple terms as fair and good working conditions for all workers in the chain, while fostering nature. SDG 8 focuses on the topic of working conditions. We emphasise the importance of social compliance and responsible sourcing, reflected in our target to have 100% of our growers in high and medium risk countries certified by 2025. It is also directly linked to our participation in SIFAV 2025 (Sustainability Initiative Fruit and Vegetables) where improving working conditions is a specific topic t work on with all partners in the value chain. Fair and good working conditions, along with more specific topics like the exclusion of child labour, are covered in our internal Code of Conduct, in which we clearly state a zero-tolerance policy for anyone working for or with Greenyard. The UN Global Compact guidelines serve as a guiding compass in this respect. Next to our efforts on the certifications of our growers and SIFAV, we are issuing a Supplier Code of Conduct

30 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

before the end of 2021, which standardises already existing social compliance agreements and will become the basis for any future contracts with growers or suppliers.

SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production This SDG is all about building resilient and sustainable food supply chains. While we fully endorse the environmental aspects within this SDG, we also pay specific attention to social compliance and responsible sourcing (cfr. SDG 8). One specific sub-target 12.3 is especially relevant for Greenyard and its retail customers: “By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce

to minimise the use of packaging without com-

But there is still a lot of work to be done. On the

of the chain, food waste is much more limited

food losses along production and supply chains,

promising food safety or shelf life. Many of our

consumer side, about 30% of food still ends

and well below 5%, including the waste at the

including post-harvest losses.”

innovations – our meal kits in particular – pro-

up as waste in developed countries. Raising

retailer. This is especially true for retailers who

vide optimal portioning of vegetables to pre-

awareness on the optimal storage of food, the

have fully adopted our “fork to field” approach.

To this end, we team up with our customers to

pare a healthy dinner. The same applies to the

benefits of seasonal produce and the amount of

extend the shelf life of our products, to optimise

products of our Frozen division which enable

ingredients that are needed for meals, is some-

our packaging by making it fully recyclable and

long-term preservation and smart portioning.

thing that needs to be addressed. In our part

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SDG 13 – Climate Action

targets and actions with the Paris Agreement, which aims for a maximum global temperature

As a major supplier of fruit and

increase of 1.5 degrees and a significant reduc-

vegetables, we depend more

tion of carbon emissions.

than any other sector on the availability of healthy soil, biodiversity, fresh

We are confident that this approach will be sup-

water and the right climate conditions. The

ported by our growers. Moreover, by making

consequences of climate change such as

their efforts more visible, we aim for them to get

extreme drought, water scarcity or damage to

the extra credits they deserve for building more

the crops caused by heavy rainfall or storms,

sustainable food supply chains and providing

have a significant impact on the availability of

consumers worldwide with healthy fruit and

our products.

vegetables.

Although fruit and vegetables have a relatively low environmental impact compared to other food products, it is only natural that we take action through mitigation and adaptation. We do this by promoting a shift towards more plant-based diets. In addition, we focus on optimising our own environmental footprint (scope 1 and 2) and stimulate our suppliers (scope 3) to follow in our footsteps. We defined clear targets to reduce our carbon footprint (scope 1 and 2) by 50% by 2025. We committed ourselves to implement Science Based Targets in the current financial year to fully align our long-term

Although fruit and vegetables have a relatively low environmental impact compared to other food products, it is only natural that we take action through mitigation and adaptation.

We are committed to building sustainable food supply chains through long-term partnerships with our growers. We support them in their efforts to apply the highest environmental and social standards.

Building sustainable food supply chains

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Giving back to nature

Why is biodiversity so important to us? Biodiversity is an umbrella term for all the different species we have on our planet, both fauna and flora. It is a crucial aspect to safeguard bal-

Regenerative farming safeguards future food production

ance and stability in our natural ecosystems, which are much more fragile than we think. Biodiversity ensures clean water, fertile soil and a stable climate. Biodiversity is not only important for agriculture ir. Wijnand Sukkel Senior Onderzoeker AgroEcologie

and food production. It also provides us with natural resources for housing, clothing, fuel and medicines. Without those resources, our very existence is in danger.

Biodiversity is disappearing from our planet at an increasingly rapid rate. “Current agricultural practices are jeopardising future food production. We need to develop new technologies and methods to make the transition to regenerative farming that restores biodiversity and gives back to nature”, says Wijnand Sukkel, who is an expert in soil and works as an agro-ecologist at the Wageningen University and Research Center (WUR) in the Netherlands. One of the main research areas he is working on today is the “Farm of the Future” where new ways of regenerative farming are tested with all knowledge of the WUR on our current optimised and extremely efficient ways of farming as a background.

Why are current agricultural practices endangering our future? In many ways, our current systems of food production – characterised by monocultures, mass mechanisation and the use of fertilisers and pesticides – have been necessary and successful. They have enabled us to provide the world’s growing population with affordable food. But today they are overexploiting our natural resources and endangering our future food production.

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Current modes of food production are one of the main causes of the worldwide decrease in biodiversity. They are depleting our planet and our natural resources at an ever-increasing rate and contributing to the causes of global warming. How can we overcome these challenges? It is necessary to develop food production methods that give back to nature by restoring and even increasing biodiversity while using less resources. At the same time, we need to adapt our agricultural practices to the extreme weather conditions that are becoming more frequent. But the main challenge is to combine these goals with sufficient income for farmers and affordable food for consumers. The good news is that this can be done. In Lelystad, WUR is working on the farm of the future. The difference is immediately visible. Different crops are spread across the fields, while the field’s edges, ditches and roadsides are in full bloom. The landscape is less monotonous and we are also introducing new technologies: large

trees, bushes and flowers are re-appearing. But

35 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

It is necessary to develop food production methods that give back to nature by restoring and even increasing biodiversity while using less resources.

agricultural machines have been replaced by

A company such as Greenyard can connect both

smaller, autonomous machines. Especially for

ends of the value chain, by teaming up with

farming in countries like the Netherlands this

customers and farmers. If we want to get this

may become even more important, as finding

really going, we need to support this transi-

the right workforce is also becoming increas-

tion by rewarding the pioneers who are willing

ingly difficult.

to stick their necks out, by offering them bet-

ter prices, favourable conditions or incentives What can Greenyard do to help?

based on eco-performance. Governments and

The transition to regenerative farming is not

business also have an important responsibility

an easy one. It requires much effort and invest-

to raise awareness of the implications of our

ments in new knowledge and technology. Every

current food production. We often take the

link in the chain will need to take major steps.

food on our plate for granted, without realising

Farmers face the biggest challenge, as they will

the hard work and the many resources it took

have to make major changes in their way of

to produce them.

working, but they cannot do this alone. They depend on the prices they get for their produce and the know-how and the technology at their disposal.

36 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Greenyard sustainable agriculture A matter of trust and commitment Diego Verdesia, responsible for Sustainability, Agriculture and Projects at Greenyard, has been working with Latin American farmers for almost two decades. “The commitment of these growers to make their production more sustainable is huge. As a connecting partner in the industry, it is our mission to help them overcome any challenges they face on their path.”

Diego Verdesia Sustainability, Agriculture and Projects, Greenyard Fresh

“When I first started out, the main project was

Alliance, GlobalG.A.P., BRC-Food Safety, etc.

supporting growers – of mostly bananas – from

and complies with strict social and environ

Ecuador to implement social and environ-

mental standards.”

mental better farming practices”, says Diego Verdesia, who is covering the important sourcing region of Latin America. “Today, our aim is

Overcome barriers

to ensure that the produce we bring to Europe is fully certified in a wide variety of protocols

There are many challenges to overcome,

aiming for a sustainable agriculture, satisfying

depending on the local context and even the

customers’ requirements, such as Rainforest

location of the individual farm. “One farmer

37 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Working with these farmers and helping them improve their activities and their lives on a daily basis is truly a wonderful job.

“The key is to make them see the benefits to their activities. At first, they may wonder what’s the use of keeping track of fuel consumption or measuring rainfall. But once they understand the implications, they are fully committed. Let’s not forget that they depend on nature for their livelihood and understand that it is in their own interest as farmers to protect nature and make careful use of the available resources.”

may have direct access to water, while his nextdoor neighbour does not. In some regions it’s about using crop protection, in some farms it’s

Recognition is needed

about improving working conditions. In 2020, a lot of attention was paid to reducing the spread

Over the years, Diego Verdesia has witnessed

of COVID-19 among workers through social

the impact of these continuous efforts in the

distancing strategies.”

field. “The differences between certified and non-certified farms are really huge and imme-

“Many of these farms are family-owned, led by

diately visible. But it is important that the mar-

experienced farmers who have learned on the

kets recognise these efforts as well. How else

job from one generation to the next”, says Diego

can we explain to farmers they need to invest

Verdesia. “But setting up a management system

in sustainability if we do not reward them with

is a completely different matter. It is my job to

fairer prices? We also need to educate con-

translate the complexities and the very technical

sumers and explain what they are paying for.

language of certification into a common lan-

I believe this is one of our biggest challenges

guage that they understand. It’s too easy to say

for the near future.”

that certification is their problem, and not ours.”

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Responsible and sustainable sourcing Food supply chains have become more complex

international and national employment legisla-

term, Greenyard increased its involvement as

ing living wages and income for farmers, and

and longer as the physical distance from field to

tion, particularly in risk regions. We ask our sup-

the partners launched their new collaborative

implementing robust supply chain due diligence

fork has increased. We explicitly acknowledge

pliers to assure social compliance using assess-

sustainability strategy for 2025. Beyond social

policies. In Mali, we continued our engagement

our responsibility for our supply chains and the

ment tools and certification schemes (GRASP,

compliance, all partners committed to reduce

in an Integrated Development Partnership to

social and environmental issues that may arise

SEDEX, Rainforest Alliance, ETI, SA8000).

the environmental footprint (carbon footprint,

advance the growing of fresh mangos along

from them. Greenyard actively focuses on social

food waste, water use) of priority products by

with German development agency GIZ and

standards, responsibility, transparency and

2025, while taking the first steps in improv-

other partners.

traceability, in close collaboration with growers

Our progress

and suppliers. Greenyard has committed to having 100% of its grower base in risk regions certified for Our approach

social compliance. At present, about 81% of our grower base in these regions is certified.

Greenyard sources more than 2.5 million tonnes

Fair Trade volumes have also grown steadily

of fruit and vegetables worldwide each year.

and represent about 4% of Greenyard Fresh

22% of our volumes originated from risk coun-

volumes. Elsewhere, volumes of organic prod-

tries and regions (Amfori BSCI classification),

ucts are growing steadily and represent more

driven largely by overseas volumes from the

than 5% of Greenyard Fresh volumes and more

Fresh division. We attach great importance to

than 3% of Greenyard Prepared and Frozen

ensuring social standards throughout our entire

volumes.

value chain. We have established the explicit ambition to only conduct business with sup-

Building on the success of the Sustainability

pliers who can vouch for their compliance with

Initiative Fruit and Vegetables’ (SIFAV) first

39 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Future plans We plan to extend the scope of origins for which we require assurance on social standards in line with the ambition of SIFAV 2025. As such, we aim to have 100% of our grower base in both high and medium risk countries (SIFAV classification) certified by 2025. Ahead of regulatory developments in terms of supplier due diligence, Greenyard is also developing a Supplier Code of Conduct at group level highlighting our expectations towards suppliers in terms of environment, social and governance matters. In the coming years, we plan to further develop our vision on biodiversity and make our ambitions more explicit in the area of sustainable sourcing as well. Beyond good agricultural practices covered in our Quality and Safety policies, we are already promoting more sustainable farming practices. We do so by educating our growers and supporting them to work more efficiently.

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Organic Farmer Group

“The OFG allows producers to focus on what they

Taking Italy’s organic produce to the next level

do best and enjoy most: growing some of the best

“The establishment of the Organic Farmer Group

worry about aspects such as warehousing, pack-

(OFG) has allowed us to strengthen our ties with

aging, labelling and production planning, which

some of Italy’s best organic fruit growers. Together,

is centralised and taken care of by the Group”,

we are creating shorter, more efficient and more

explains Giovanni Glioti.

fruit under the Italian sun. They no longer have to

“The Organic Farmer Group ensures our producers can focus on what they do best and enjoy most: growing some of the best fruit under the Italian sun.” Giovanni Glioti, Quality Manager at Greenyard Fresh Italy

transparent supply chains, to the benefit of both consumers and growers”, says Giovanni Glioti,

But there is much more to it than that. As a con-

Quality Manager at Greenyard Fresh Italy.

necting partner between growers and retailers,

“We are also investing in training for farmers to

Greenyard also makes sure that the demand of

help them meet certification goals. Regular visits

Organic fruit and vegetables are an important

end consumers in stores and production on the

to the farms allow us to experience their chal-

growth market. The number of people consciously

field are much better matched. “Transparency in

lenges at first-hand. Finally, we also want to make

choosing healthy and sustainable products is

the supply chain is key”, says Giovanni Glioti. “It is

our farmers’ efforts more visible to consumers

increasing rapidly. Italy has been at the forefront

our mission to translate our customers’ require-

by including information about the origin of the

of this evolution and is today one of the world’s

ments – both in terms of volume and quality – to

products on our packaging.”

largest exporters of organic produce.

our growers. It allows us to create significant added value for both parties and reduce food waste.”

Focus on what they do best In 2019, nine Italian producers joined forces to

Visibility for consumers

establish the OFG, led by Greenyard Fresh Italy.

The initiative has already convinced many growers

The aim is to further develop organic production

of kiwi, stone fruit and pears to produce exclusively

for international markets and improve quality and

for Greenyard. “We plan to further expand the

production standards.

number of growers over time, increase volumes and add more categories”, says Giovanni Glioti.

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Our growers

Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet fully supports Hunt Bros’ sustainability initiatives to reduce the use of water. Automated water wells, along with tensiometers and weather stations in the groves, allows us to track and monitor the amount of water in the soil and irrigate precisely when the trees need it.

Greenyard Fresh Germany collaborates with Fruta Rica – its supplier of bananas in Ecuador – to develop joint training programs and R&D projects. These initiatives enable to improve the efficiency and the sustainability of the agricultural practices of our growers.

Holbeach Marsh Co-operative (HMC) in the UK is a co-operative of over 30 forward-looking growers, who jointly invest in innovative technologies and methods to improve harvest yield, reduce fuel consumption and enhance soil health. The growers are located close to our plant in King’s Lynn, which enhances the freshness and quality of our products, while reducing their environmental footprint.

• Fresh: 2,500 growers & suppliers • Frozen & Prepared: 2,500 growers • 60-65% from EU • 90 countries • 34,000 ha

BND was established in 1997 as the first growers’ association for industrial vegetables in Belgium. Today, they unite about 280 Belgian, Dutch and German growers. Working with BND ensures our produce is immediately processed after harvesting, the best guarantee for healthy, tasty and sustainable products.

Today’s consumers want their food to be both healthy and sustainable. That’s why they go for organic products. The cooperation of Greenyard Fresh Italy with the Organic Farmer Group has opened up the international market for our great products and ensures Italian growers are at the forefront of this evolution.

Having Mouton Citrus as citrus supplier enables Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet to cooperate with a grower in South Africa that makes a difference in its local communities. We believe in creating a workplace where people are given opportunities to nurture their talent and develop their leadership qualities.

42 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

“Albert Heijn has always relied on long-term,

A place to be(e)

strategic partnerships with our growers group, based on mutual trust and close collaboration”,

Today, 35% of global agricultural land and more

dedicated Projekt 2028 beekeepers. The project

says Janneke Goudswaard, responsible for sus-

than 75% of the world’s food crops depend on

has been very successful: in the last three years,

tainability within Greenyard’s Bakker division.

animal pollination. However, bees and other pol-

the bee population in Austria and Germany has

“Most of these farmers have been working for

linators are increasingly threatened by human

increased by at least 20 million bees.

the retailer for decades.”

activities. Several Greenyard companies have

The Beter voor Natuur & Boer-programme now

taken or joined initiatives to help bee populations

Greenyard Fresh Spain supports the Operation

thrive again.

Pollinator in the Spanish province of Almeria.

uses the same principles to support a number of

Better for Nature & Farmer

The goal of this project is to restore pollinator

sustainability initiatives among its growers, with

In 2018, Greenyard Prepared and the interna-

populations within agricultural and other land-

a focus on healthy soil, biodiversity and climate.

tional growers’ association BND have collab-

scapes by assuring essential habitats.

The programme has been developed in close

orated to build a bee network on the sites of

Dutch retailer Albert Heijn supports and promotes

consultation with the growers themselves, which

Greenyard growers. To date, 60 bee hotels – with

sustainable agriculture through its Beter voor

ensures all measures and targets are ambitious

adjoining meadow fields and staging areas –

Natuur & Boer (‘Better for Nature & Farmer’) pro-

yet feasible and will have the right impact. It also

have been installed, with another 22 planned

gramme. The programme for the fruit and vege-

includes compensations for the investments the

by the end of 2021.

table category involves more than 200 growers

farmers are making. An accompanying national

of fruit and vegetables in the Netherlands, among

media campaign creates awareness among con-

Greenyard Fresh Germany joined Hektar Nek-

them a lot of long-term partners of the retailer.

sumers.

tar’s Projekt 2028, which aims to increase the

Bakker Barendrecht, a Greenyard company,

bee population by 10% within 10 years’ time. To

supports Albert Heijn with implementing this pro-

accomplish this, they transfer bee colonies to

gramme together with growers.

43 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Commitment to Sustainability Initiative Fruit and Vegetables (SIFAV) Early 2021, Greenyard increased its involvement in SIFAV as they launched their new collaborative sustainability strategy for 2025. SIFAV’s new ambitions focus on significantly reducing the environmental footprint across the supply chain, addressing social sustainability topics such as improving incomes and working conditions and strengthening due diligence reporting and transparency. These ambitions touch upon each of the priority areas which are at the heart of Greenyard’s sustainability strategy: climate action, water stew-

Sharing our expertise

ardship, zero waste and responsible sourcing. with GIZ – the German association for inter-

Ursula Wermund, who leads the project for

Mali is the perfect sourcing location for man-

national cooperation – and other partners, we

Greenyard Fresh Germany.

gos. The climate provides optimal natural

provide technical training sessions including

conditions for abundant harvests. Moreover,

ethical and environmental aspects for local

“The trainings are given in the local lan-

Fresh Belgium and Greenyard Fresh Germany. They will

80% of the workforce in Mali is active in the

mango growers.

guage (Bambara) and are supported by

assist in the joint development of sustainability policies,

videos and other visual aids to reach as

approaches, and tools equipping SIFAV Partners with prac-

“These trainings are based on a holistic

many farmers as possible. The results

tical support to work towards the targets. Examples are a

approach and touch upon a wide variety of

are impressive: an average productivity

Sustainability Risk Tool to understand and prioritise risks in

Besides boosting the local economy, Green-

relevant topics: from management systems

increase of 30%, improved quality leading to

a diverse fruit and vegetable portfolio and

yard also improves the well-being of all

and market requirements to pruning tech-

higher gross margins for farmers and the cre-

an Environmental Footprint Index to calcu-

people involved in the supply chain. Together

niques and the use of organic fertiliser”, says

ation of additional jobs within the industry.”

late the actual footprint of a product.

agricultural sector, which exports as much as 575,000 tonnes of produce per year.

Five Greenyard Fresh companies are involved: Bakker Belgium, Bakker Barendrecht, Fresh Solutions, Greenyard

Fruit and vegetables have a relatively low impact when compared to other food categories. Nevertheless, we continue to work hard on reducing our environmental footprint throughout our operations.

Improving our footprint

45 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Climate action Fruit and vegetables have an exceptionally low

Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions. Our footprint

stable (-0,23%) despite the exceptional sales

carbon footprint compared to other food cate-

in terms of Scope 1 and 2 emissions covers our

growth (+10%) and the energy-intensive Frozen

gories. Nonetheless, we are constantly striving

own operations (consisting of factories oper-

and Prepared divisions being confronted with

to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions along

ated by Greenyard but excluding co-packers),

stockpiling of frozen and canned products dur-

the value chain. Our ambitions in this domain

our own warehousing (consisting of distribution

ing subsequent lockdowns. In addition, energy

are invigorated as we witness the consequences

centres operated by Greenyard but excluding

use is the prime source of greenhouse gas emis-

of climate change first-handed, with more fre-

third-party warehousing) and our own logistics

sions in our operations. The energy intensity for

quent droughts and extreme weather events

(consisting of fleets operated by Greenyard and

processed products decreased by 2% due to

affecting growers all over the world.

including our company cars). Scope 3 emissions

efficiencies in production.

Scope 1 & 2 emissions (tonne CO2-eq.) by division

cover the fruit and vegetables we are sourcing, third party logistics, packaging, waste, and busi-

For better transparency, we have been disclos-

ness flights. The data is calculated and reported

ing our climate-related risks and impact under

in line with the GHG-Protocol. The insights are

the terms of the CDP (climate change) since

We measure our corporate carbon footprint

used to set annual reduction targets and iden-

2020. We were pleased to achieve a B- score in

annually by calculating our total Scope 1,

tify key initiatives to achieve them.

our first year of participation.

Electricity: 51,6% Natural gas: 33,6% Diesel (trucks): 9,5%

Greenyard has committed to reduce its Scope

Refrigerants: 3,7%

1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by

Other: 1,6%

the end of 2025 compared to 2019. This year, our total greenhouse gas emissions remained

S CO P E 2

Our progress

by source

S CO P E 1

Our approach

46 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Future plans We are committed to set carbon reduction tar-

We will continue our efforts to decrease our

gets in line with limiting the global temperature

emissions in line with our current commitments,

increase to 1.5°C. Next to our initial reduction

plan to firmly increase our renewable energy use

target of 50% by 2025, we plan a 70% reduction

and actively invest in alternative energy sources

target by 2030 on our way to become carbon

such as solar panels and biomass production.

neutral by 2050. In terms of our Scope 3 emis-

This year, 12% of our electricity consumption

sions, we will continue to stimulate our supplier

came from renewable sources.

base to adopt science-based targets. We aim to submit our proposals to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in the fall of 2021. In line with our plans to implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), we will also

Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions (in tonne CO2-eq.)

SCOPE 1 4% SCO PE 2 4%

conduct a climate-related scenario analysis to further refine our strategy.

Purchased fruit and vegetables: 57% Packaging: 13% Inbound transport: 18% Outbound transport: 4%

SCOPE 3 92%

47 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Water stewardship Fresh water is a vital resource for growing fruit

drawals are from areas with a moderate deple-

and vegetables. It is also a crucial element in our

tion risk. The site depends for 90% on munici-

production processes at Greenyard Prepared

pal (drinking) water and 10% on groundwater.

and Frozen, where we use if to wash, process

Other sites are located in areas with very limited

and preserve our products. Within our Fresh

or low depletion risk.

division, we use water to wash fresh cut vegetables and salads which we use in our conven-

At Greenyard, we are committed to reduce our

ience products.

water consumption every year. Key metric is the water intensity of our processed products.

And even if fruit and vegetables have a relatively

We also measure water consumption and water

low water footprint compared to many other

discharge at all of our sites. The insights are

food categories, we are very conscious of the

used to set annual reduction targets and iden-

value of fresh and good quality water and strive

tify key initiatives to achieve them. Constant

to reduce consumption and mitigate risks every

monitoring ensures the quality of water effluent

way we can – not only in our own operations,

discharge is always in line with the standards of

but all through the value chain.

local regulations and permits. We acknowledge our responsibility to safeguard

Our approach

sustainable water use throughout our supply chain. 24% of fruit and vegetable volumes

Greenyard regularly reviews water-related risks

sourced by Greenyard originate from countries

for all its processing sites, using the WWF Water

with a water depletion score >3 (WWF Water

Risk Filter. About 3% of Greenyard water with-

Risk Filter). The proportion remains stable in line

48 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

with the product basket in which we offer our

treated and cleaned in a controlled loop which

customers year-round sourcing from diverse

enables us to reuse it in specific parts of our

origins. We seek to support growers to work

processes.

more efficiently and assist with certification where needed.

Our progress

Future plans

Fresh 7%

Beyond our commitment to map the water risk for our entire grower base by 2025, we aim to

Greenyard has committed to map the water

further reduce the water-intensity in our pro-

risk for its entire grower base by 2025. This year

cessing sites through continued water-effi-

the focus was on the Frozen and Prepared divi-

ciency investments and increased wastewater

sions, along with a major Fresh business entity.

treatment. We aim to further reduce water-in-

Together they represent 46% of our sourced

tensity in our Frozen and Prepared divisions by

This year, Greenyard consumed 4.78 million m³

volumes. We expect to map the water risk for

10% by 2025 (compared to 2019).

water in our own operations, an increase of 6%

80 to 90% of our sourced volumes by 2022 to

largely caused by the exceptional sales growth

reach 100% by 2025.

(10%) and the water-intensive Frozen and Pre-

At the processing site which is located in an area with water stress, trials are ongoing with a view

pared divisions being confronted with stock-

For better transparency, we have been disclos-

to install an innovative wastewater treatment

piling of frozen and canned products during

ing our water-related risks and impact under

plant which would allow the reuse of process-

subsequent lockdowns. Nevertheless, water

the terms of the CDP (water security) since

ing water flows and reduce the need for water

intensity in these divisions decreased by 2%,

2020. We were pleased to achieve a B- score in

withdrawals.

mainly as a result of water-efficiency improve-

our first year of participation.

ments in our processes and investments to

Water consumption (m³) by division

Prepared 44%

Frozen 49%

Overall water risk Greenyard volumes (based on score country of origin)

49%

51%

reuse water. Relatively clean waterflows are

Low risk (≤ 2,33) Medium risk (> 2,33 and < 3,66) High risk (≥ 3,66)

49 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Zero waste Our growers depend on nature to grow fruit and

and peas. The majority of this by-product flow

vegetables and we truly understand the natural

is used today as animal feed. Another important

value of our products like no other. We see it as

source of food losses originates from limited

our duty to manage all of our – mostly natural

shelf life and quality issues in the Fresh division.

– resources in a responsible manner. We are

These represent the focus areas to reduce our

committed to reduce waste to an absolute min-

waste streams.

imum in all our activities, from the processing of fruit and vegetables to the use of packaging

The first and most important strategy to mini-

materials. As a food producer, we also have a

mise waste is our “fork to field” strategy, which

major impact on preventing food waste, both

continuously matches customer demand with

during production and at the consumer end.

supply through – among others – planned production of our growers. This unique and fully integrated customer model ensures a low

Our approach

amount of food waste in all parts of the value chain.

Greenyard generates around 200,000 tonnes of by-products and waste each year. The lion’s

We also have implemented an effective waste

share originates from processing activities in

management system in our operations, focused

our Frozen and Prepared divisions, including

on valorising and closing “waste” loops. There

washing and steam peeling of carrots, pulses

are five levels of action.

50 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Our waste management system

PREVENT

REDUCE

REUSE

RECYCLE

The first step is always to pre-

Waste that cannot not be pre-

Waste generated in our opera-

Fruit and vegetables that can-

We aim to have 100% of the

Only when no other options

vent waste. We continuously

vented is kept to an absolute

tions is reused wherever possi-

not be used as animal feed go

consumer packaging we pur-

are available, the remaining

review our processes in this

minimum. Quality checks and

ble. Plant-based waste is often

to a digestor or composting

chase recyclable by 2025. Much

waste is collected and used for

light. Packaging is only used

process improvements con-

used as the basis for animal

installation. Standard waste

of the packaging we use is

energy recovery.

when necessary to improve

tinuously reduce the amount

feed. Any food surpluses that

flows that are generated at our

made of steel and glass, both

shelf life and to prevent food

of waste generated during

are still good for consumption

locations mainly come from

perfectly and almost indefi-

waste. Our frozen and pre-

production. We aim to deliver

are offered to food banks and

transport packaging (e.g. car-

nitely recyclable. Our efforts

pared products ensure fruit

our products to the consumer

charities.

board, paper, plastics and wood)

mainly focus on plastic pack-

and vegetables can be stored

just-in-time, avoiding fresh

and are collected for recycling.

aging and especially on multi-

for longer periods, while new

produce from spoiling in the

layer packaging to reach the

technologies extend the shelf-

aisles of supermarkets.

last hurdle in recyclability.

life of fresh produce.

RECOVER

51 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Our progress This year, we used about 82.860 tonnes of con-

To further optimise the environmental footprint

sumer packaging for our products, representing

of our packaging, the Frozen division developed

a 3% increase caused by increased volumes in

a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool to assess

our Frozen and Prepared divisions. The main

the impact of various packaging options and

packaging materials consist of plastics and

enable customers to make informed choices.

cardboard in the Fresh division, plastics in the

The tool will be rolled out in other divisions as

Frozen division, and steel cans and glass in the

well. Elsewhere, the Circopack research project

Prepared division. Further efforts in using recy-

is entering its final year, in which we are evalu-

clable packaging alternatives have increased

ating and implementing alternative packaging

the share of recyclable consumer packaging

concepts for our fresh convenience range as

to 98.9%.

part the Industrial User Group.

Waste to be re-used: 59% Waste for recycling: 37% Waste for energy recovery: 3% Landfill or incineration without energy recovery: 1%

Future plans We are committed to use 100% recyclable consumer packaging by 2025. We also plan to use 30% of recycled content in non-food contact packaging by 2030. In terms of packaging volumes, we are developing a reduction target

53%

16%

28%

glass

plastic

metal

paper & currogated board

without lowering the shelf-life or our products.

52 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Sustainable packaging Life Cycle Assessment provides objective data “Making the right packaging decisions is no easy matter, as many elements determine whether a packaging is sustainable. Our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) enables us to take each of these elements into account and provide our customers with objective data”, says Helena Gheysen, Sustainability Coordinator for the Greenyard Frozen division. Helena Gheysen, Sustainability Coordinator Greenyard Frozen

Nigel Terry, Managing Director Greenyard Frozen UK and Commercial Director for the Frozen division

No black and white answers

“Packaging has become an increasingly important and sometimes even controversial topic among consumers”, notes Nigel Terry, Managing Director of Greenyard Frozen UK and Commercial Director for the Frozen division. “Retailers have been quick to respond and have worked hard in the last few years to reduce the amount of packaging they use and even abandoning certain materials entirely.”

of the life cycle. Additionally, we also ensure that the packaging fits with the high quality

However, assessing the environmental impact

standards for our products as well as customer

of different packaging materials is no sim-

expectations.”

ple black-and-white matter. “There are many aspects that determine whether a material is sustainable”, explains Helena Gheysen. “Everybody immediately thinks in terms of CO2 emissions, but there are many other factors to consider. At Greenyard, we consider several aspects of the entire life cycle: from the extraction of raw materials to the recyclability at the end

Making the right packaging decisions is never a blackand-white choice, as many elements determine whether a packaging is sustainable.

53 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Packaging has become an increasingly important and sometimes even controversial topic among consumers.

and cardboard are also more water-intensive”,

Helping customers make the right decision

says Helena Gheysen. “The Life Cycle Assessment has given us valu“It shows this is not a black and white story and

able insight into the impact of our packaging.

sometimes plastics really are the better choice,

It also allows us to advise customers in this

for the product and for nature. Of course, the

complicated matter, as the final choice lies

life cycle of packaging does not end in-store.

with them. The data from our Life Cycle Assess-

To conduct a Life Cycle Assessment of four

Consumers also play an important role: they

ment helps them make that decision, based on

different packaging types – all of them mono-

have to sort their packaging post-consumption

actual facts, and not just perception”, concludes

material and fully recyclable and including

to successfully close the cycle. We do not only

Helena Gheysen.

polyethylene, bio-based plastics, cardboard

want our packaging to be recyclable in theory,

and paper – Greenyard Frozen engaged with

but also in practice.”

a specialised partner. Both plastic packaging solutions came out as the best choice with bio-based plastics slightly better, but also more expensive. “For our organic range products, we decided to evolve towards bio-based plastic packaging, in line with the positioning of this product range. Compared to cardboard packaging, less material is needed to adequately protect the product. This means that we can transport more products per box, while also reducing emissions during transport. Production processes of paper

54 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Improving sustainability on a daily basis Becoming a truly sustainable business is all

tomer demands. Until a couple of years ago,

about continuous improvement in every

most of our products were still packed in sim-

domain, harvesting low-hanging fruits and

ple flow-packs. Today, there is a wide range

planting the seeds for more difficult changes.

of packaging types available tailored to the preservation needs for each product – from

These changes always start with people who

the minimal banderols for bananas to modified

are enthusiastic, curious, open and willing to

atmosphere packaging for lettuce. We have

make the right choices together with our cus-

“We investigate every opportunity to reduce

learn every aspect of a process. In this report

developed extensive packaging expertise over

tomers.” – Merel Noorts, Product Manager

waste to an absolute minimum in every step:

we are giving them the opportunity to share

the years and a lot of practical experience on

how can we optimise the product flow between

their experiences and tell the story from their

how to improve shelf life.

different machines? Can we automate parts of

perspective. Some of them have only recently

The battle against food waste

the process to minimise waste? Can we find

joined Greenyard, others have been with us for

“Many efforts are being made to further reduce

many years, taking their new colleagues along

(plastic) packaging, and we clearly support this

With thousands of tons of fruit and vegetables

leek and celery? It all starts with observing and

in the wonderful world of fruit and vegetables.

trend. We have been testing many new packaging

going in and out of our warehouses every day,

measuring all parts of the process. Recently, we

We all share the same guiding compass and

options over the past years. However, there is no

we need to know exactly what we have in stock,

started to weigh exactly how much is wasted in

the ambition to work in a more sustainable way,

point in eliminating packaging if it causes the

what the remaining shelf life, origin and quality

every step of our production lines. Measuring

while safeguarding the quality of our products

product to go to waste. This means less pack-

is and what the expected requirements of our

waste not only gives us an indication of how

and meeting the expectations of our customers.

aging is not our only target, as we do not want

customers are. We know how much effort has

much is being wasted, but it also gives us a good

to compromise on the quality or the shelf-life

been put in growing our fruit and vegetables

basis to define KPIs for improvement, and it

of our products. We work closely with suppliers,

and want to prevent food waste wherever we

helps to raise awareness among our colleagues

customers, colleagues from other divisions and

can. We also do this for our convenience plant at

if you can show them the facts.” – Ann-Sophie

research institutes to follow up on the latest

Greenyard Fresh Belgium which has 11 produc-

Paesen, Continuous Improvement Engineer

trends, while Life Cycle Assessments help us

tion lines to wash, cut, slice, and pack different

Packaging that adds real value Packaging is a rapidly evolving domain in terms of regulation, innovation, marketing and cus-

alternative usages for the stems of broccoli,

types of vegetables.

55 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

The best available quality throughout the season Fruit and vegetables are products of nature. Unlike food produced in an industrial environment, their quality depends on factors beyond our control. Available volumes, the size of the produce and even the colour can vary throughout the season. This makes quality control a challenging and delicate task. “It is our job to make customers more aware of these challenges and to manage their expectations. Recently, we have started to use dynamic specifications to define the quality of our produce, which correspond to the way the products evolve during the season. In this way, we can supply our customers with the best available – and agreed – quality, at any time of the year. This way of working helps to have a common language and to avoid food waste.” – Dominiek Hauman, Quality Manager

56 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Cooling tower upgrade saves 50 million litres of water per year

At the Greenyard Prepared division, we focus consistently on making our production processes more sustainable. Limiting water consumption is an important part of this, and var-

Smart re-use of clean cooling water leads to a

ious steps have already been taken in recent

significant reduction in water consumption at the

years. Modernising and optimising the cooling

Greenyard Prepared site in Bree, Belgium. Follow-

tower is the latest initiative and an excellent

ing an upgrade of the cooling tower, the company

example of innovation that can save significant

will save 50 million litres of water per year.

amounts of water.

First step on the road to e-mobility

“In 2021, we looked into the possibilities and implications of using electric vehicles for our transport. It’s about much more than just replac-

“The final step of processing vegetables is apper-

“Transport is an major factor in the CO2 footprint

ing diesel with electricity. Many other elements

tisation – heat treatment – and pasteurisation.

of our company”, says Coen Boutesteijn, trainee at

need to be taken into consideration as well: what

Vegetables in jars and tins are first heated to

Bakker Barendrecht. “That is why we have set up

happens if the trucks get stuck in traffic? How

120°C, before being cooled to 40°C. Greenyard

a research project to find out how we can evolve

can we use smart charging? How do we interact

Prepared can now reuse the water from the cool-

towards zero-emission transport.”

with our solar panels?”

Corstjens. “And that means we need to pump up

Bakker Barendrecht is continuously working on

The project made it clear that electric transport

less groundwater. This is an important step, as

reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. “We’re

is not the right solution for long distances at

sustainable water management and stewardship

maximising the use of energy from renewable

this point. “There might be some potential for

are increasingly important issues in countries

sources throughout the entire company”, says

our operations in Belgium, where distances are

such as Belgium and the Netherlands.”

Coen Boutesteijn. “In terms of transport, we

much shorter because of the central location of

maximise the load factor of our trucks through

our distribution centre. However, the learnings

optimal planning and we’re using in-land ship-

from the project have been very valuable and will

ping wherever possible.”

help us prepare for the future of our mobility.”

ing process”, explains project manager Guido

57 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

New engine room for Greenyard Frozen

“The cold air is distributed to the freezing tunnels and cold rooms, some 100,000 cubic metres of them, which store products at -20°C. The system

Tackling water scarcity in Flanders

Greenyard Frozen built a new engine room to

also produces ice-cold water to cool vegetables

replace the six existing engine rooms at its site in

as they leave our production lines, while keeping

Comines, France. “With a small team, on a small

all areas where vegetables are handled to 6°C”,

Water is a vital resource in fruit and vegetable

in a smarter, more sustainable way”, explains

site, during COVID-19, we succeeded in just a few

says Nicolas Fromentin.

production, but it is also becoming an increasingly

Frédéric Rosseneu, Business Development

scarce commodity. To help tackle this dilemma,

Manager and coordinator of research activities

The thermal energy indirectly produced by the

Greenyard is participating in the Smart WaterUse

at Greenyard.

process will be used to preheat water for steam-

project to identify water risks in Flanders.

months with this innovative eco-energy project”, says Operations Director Nicolas Fromentin. The new engine room will allow Greenyard Fro-

ing and bleaching processes, as well as for the

zen to increase its cooling capacity and double

floor heating system of the storage rooms and

The urgent need for initiatives to mitigate water

its production of frozen vegetables in France.

for defrosting cooling elements. It will also be

scarcity was demonstrated in a recent study

The facility reaches lower temperatures (as low

used in the water treatment plant, so that bac-

report published by the World Resource Insti-

as -40°C) and recovers 100% of the heat that

teria can easily break down organic matter.

tute: Belgium ranks amongst countries with the

would normally be lost.

assess and address their water and droughtrelated risks and manage their water resources

higher water stress. In terms of risk, the situation

Greenyard is currently testing a prototype of

in the region of Flanders is even more acute

the Water Barometer, an online tool developed

due to the region’s greater population density

by project partner VITO. “Users gain insight into

and higher water consumption for agriculture

their water management, the risks of their exist-

and industry.

ing water resources and the alternative water resources near their sites at a glance”, explains

These findings prompted Flanders Food to

Frédéric Rosseneu. “Based on this data, the tool

launch the Smart WaterUse project in 2020.

suggests specific measures that can improve

“The objective is to help Flemish companies

water management.”

58 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Teaming up with customers Greenyard’s unique business model is based on close collaboration with customers. Together, we develop healthy and sustainable food concepts and we create ever shorter and more efficient supply chains.

59 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Supporting healthy lifestyles At Greenyard, we do everything to provide our

of our way of working, but also because of the

customers with the best quality food and to

people on both sides really teaming up to pro-

minimise food waste. We define food waste

vide healthy fruit and vegetables to consumers.

as food that was intended for human consumption but that is not used for that purpose. In our

The consumer is still a part of the chain where

targets we sharpen this to minimise avoidable

we must improve in terms of food waste. Espe-

food waste as some wastage will be unavoidable

cially in Europe and the USA, the largest amount

due to quality or food safety aspects on which

of food waste originates at home, where con-

we will never compromise.

sumers do not store the products properly or simply do not use them timely. Since the con-

Our unique “fork to field” integrated customer

sumption of fruit and vegetables is still far too

model is the best way to prevent food waste.

low in all markets where we deliver our products,

It means we constantly match our customers’

we cannot say people buy too much. It is good

demand with our growers’ supply and produc-

to see that retailers and governments are try-

tion capacity. The proof of our model can be

ing to raise awareness about eating healthier

seen in the low food waste percentage at store

products and avoiding food waste, as there is

level among customers who use a fully inte-

still a lot of room for improvement in this area.

grated approach, meaning that we make sure their stocks in fruit and vegetables are always at the right level. These models require a lot of trust and become successful not only because

Our unique “fork to field” integrated customer model is the best way to prevent food waste.

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Moerman’s Ladder ADDED VALUE VOLUME PREVENTION (preventing food losses)

Moerman’s Ladder is the most widely used model

minimise food waste and maximise valorisation

with customer specific packaging, this has to

regarding minimising food waste in The Nether-

as food for human consumption.

be removed in most cases.

looking at “waste” for the agro-food sector and

First of all we promote our integrated customer

Moerman’s Ladder indicates how much value

goes beyond the well-known Lansink Ladder.

model, focusing on building an efficient, agile

can still be extracted from food that is lost and

HUMAN FOOD

lands and Belgium. It is a more specific way of

food supply chain with a very low food waste

is a tool we use to improve on our performance.

Food that is close to the end of its shelf life or that

percentage at retail store level, which benefits

Within our operations in Frozen and Prepared,

is threatened to be wasted, can be processed in

both our customer and nature. But still there

we have a vast amount of by-product flows (e.g.

several ways. Most important is to valorise these

will always be food at risk of being wasted and

peelings form carrots / cut-aways to have the

product flows as much as possible and strive

not all our customers are yet taking advantage

same size and quality etc.) that are today mostly

for the highest environmental value. This is not

of our fully integrated model.

used as animal feed. We have projects to inves-

always the best option economically, as it will

CONVERTED INTO HUMAN FOOD (food processing)

USED IN ANIMAL FEED

RAW MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRY (bio-based economy)

tigate other options to look into the way we can

sometimes require extra efforts to save the food

By preventing food waste and reusing it as

make these options more economically feasible

from going to waste. We will pay extra attention

human food (e.g. food banks), food loss is com-

or find the right partners to do so.

on this topic within our current roadmap, and

pletely avoided. Overstock or products that may

team up with our customers how we can further

not fully meet specific quality criteria of our customers, but are still good for consumption

TURNED INTO FERTILISER THROUGH COMPOSTING

Future plans

are delivered to food banks and processed into other food products. When already branded

TURNED INTO FERTILIZER THROUGH FERMENTATION (and for energy generation)

We are introducing specific targets to reduce food waste in our operations. We will reduce any avoidable food waste by 25% in 2025 and by 50% in 2030 and valorise all residual streams and by-product flows of our food production by 2025.

APPLIED FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY (purpose is energy generation)

INCINERATED AS WASTE (purpose is destruction, during which energy may also be generated)

61 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Focus on creativity and innovation Bernd Lambrechts leads the R&D team at Greenyard Prepared, which consists of 10 people. “We are like the cookbook of Greenyard Prepared. We are responsible for the management and development of all our recipes and products. We initiate about 450 to 500 new projects every year, that’s more than two new Bernd Lambrechts, R&D Director Greenyard Prepared

projects for each working day. These projects may vary from a small change in the recipe of an existing product to the development of entirely

“If we want to convince people to add more fruit and vegetables to their menu, we need creativity and innovation to develop products that taste great, look good and are affordable”, says Bernd Lambrechts, R&D Director at Greenyard Prepared.

new concepts.”

of misconceptions about prepared fruit and vegetables, most of them come straight from fields that are close to our production plants,

Seduce consumers with great products

which means they are both healthy – field-fresh and bursting with nutrients – and good for the

“Everybody knows that there is still a lot of room

environment.”

for improvement when it comes to the consumption of fruit and vegetables. If we want

Providing the healthiest products is always

to convince consumers, we need to offer them

top of mind. “We have been working with our

products that not only taste great, but are also

customers to reduce salt and added sugar for

easy to prepare, while preserving maximum

many years and have been developing organic

nutritional value. Although there are still a lot

and vegan ranges for many of our products.

We are like the cookbook of Greenyard Prepared. We are responsible for the management and development of all our recipes and products.

62 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

As technology improves, we’re also shortening

but our stand-up pouches for soups and sauces

heat treatments, preserving more of the flavour,

give them a new and fresh look on the shelves,

natural colour and nutritional value.”

while saving time in preparation.”

Helping customers achieve their ambitions

Collaboration is key

In recent years, private label products have

Close collaboration is at the heart of everything

undergone a major evolution. “The A-brands

we do. “We have a very short link with our cus-

used to be the reference, which we then cop-

tomers: we exchange ideas for new products,

ied, preferably with better taste, healthier and

we organise tastings and we work together on

cheaper. Now we see that retailers are at the

the development until we get it exactly right.

forefront of innovation. They regularly intro-

But we also share our expertise within the com-

duce new and ground-breaking products, from

pany. Our collaboration with Greenyard Fresh in

new soups or ready-made meals to entirely new

the development of meal kits is a good example

food concepts like bean dishes or vegetable

of this. The Fresh team comes to us with their

spreads. They count on our expertise to play a

ideas and, based on the ingredients and the

proactive role in this evolution and to help them realise their ambitions in this domain.”

chosen theme, we develop the sauces that go into the kit. It’s always a great feeling to see a great idea transform into a successful prod-

Packaging is another way of making

uct. We then know that we have

our products more convenient and

directly contributed to a healthy

more attractive. “The traditional

food experience for consumers.”

glass jars are still there, of course,

63 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Battling food waste and helping the most vulnerable Greenyard makes a lot of effort to prevent fruit and vegetables from ending up as waste. Several of our entitities have set up structural collaborations with food charities, ensuring that unsold surplus produce goes to the most vulnerable in our society.

Greenyard Frozen UK has been working with FareShare for many years to redistribute excess stock to a network of frontline charities, including homeless hostels, lunch clubs for the elderly and community centres. “Frozen vegetables are very valuable to charities”, says Laura Dixon, Customer Service Manager at Greenyard Frozen UK. “It allows them to offer a more varied and healthier menu to the people they support, and helps with meal planning. Our carrots also come

ready-chopped, which reduces preparation time for the busy charity cooks.” In the Netherlands, Bakker Barendrecht has joined forces with The Fruit and Vegetable Brigade, a voluntary organisation linked to the Dutch foodbank association, whose mission it is to combat food waste by preserving fresh fruit and vegetables and delivering them to food banks. The collaboration means Bakker Barendrecht can step up its supply to regional food banks and, with The Fruit and Vegetable Brigade’s distribution network, makes it possible for more food bank clients to enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables.

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The easiest way to a healthier diet for anyone is to add more plant-based foods to your daily intake.

Go for more!

Michaël Sels, head dietician Antwerp University Hospital (UZA)

Michaël Sels is the head dietician at the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA). He also has a cooking show on the Belgian TV channel Njam, in which he introduces new recipes that inspire viewers to eat more plant-based foods. We talked to him about why it is so important to eat more fruit and vegetables, and why it is sometimes difficult to add them to our menu.

Why we should eat more plant-based food

to your life. It will also enable you to control consumption of meat and other food categories that are less beneficial.

As people become more health-conscious, we see a pro-

Last but not least, it’s also the right thing to do for our

liferation of diet hypes, from intermittent fasting to juice-

planet, as it lowers our environmental footprint.

based diets. But really, the easiest way to a healthier diet for anyone is to add more plant-based foods to your daily intake. It’s the one diet that you will be able to maintain

Why we do not eat enough fruit and vegetables

for your entire life, from your childhood into your old age. It is no secret that plant-based foods – like vegetables and

is designed for maximum comfort and minimum effort.

fruit – contain a wealth of nutrients that are beneficial to

When it comes to food, we are surrounded by advertising

our health and well-being, including vitamins, minerals

for processed food products that in most cases contain

and fibres. Bu putting more of them on your menu it will

too much sugar and fat than is good for us. Portions

help to prevent diseases and will add many healthy years

are getting bigger and everywhere we go we can buy

Sadly, we live in an obesogenic environment. Everything

65 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

than 5% of the population reaches that number

and make them as easy to consume as other

when it comes to vegetables, and less than 10%

snackable foods. How can we add them to the

eats enough fruit.

lunchbox of our children? How we can we eat them during lunch break at work?

What we can do about it What Greenyard can do to help

400 g / day

your body. It’s an integral part of our social life

We need to involve every actor in society if we

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food

and deeply ingrained into our cultural habits.

want to realise this transition to healthier and

and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommend a

We need to inspire people to put more plant-

more sustainable eating habits: consumers,

minimum consumption of 400 grams of fruit and

based foods on the menu in every way we can.

retailers, growers, politicians, the media, etc=. A

vegetables per person per day. This diet would help

One way of doing this is to increase the number

company like Greenyard is certainly in a unique

to prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease,

of eating moments. Why not include fruit and

position to make a difference, as they can help

cancer, diabetes and obesity, as well as to prevent

vegetables into our breakfast or aperitif? Or

us to find creative solutions to promote the con-

and alleviate several micronutrient deficiencies,

use them as the basis for cakes, wraps, pizza

sumption of fruit and vegetables and increase

especially in less developed countries. In 2017, some

crusts or sandwich spreads? As a side effect, this

their visibility.

3.9 million deaths worldwide were attributable to

Eating is more than just putting nutrients in

unhealthy snacks and soda drinks but fresh fruit

will also allow us to use residual streams which

and vegetables are a lot harder to find.

otherwise go to waste.

So it comes as no surprise that in most Western

Convenience is another important issue. Tra-

countries the consumption of fruit and vegetables is far below daily recommended intakes,

not eating enough fruit and vegetables. Insufficient

The industry can make things easier for con-

intake of fruit and vegetables is estimated to cause

sumers by developing pre-cut, pre-assembled

around 14 % of deaths from gastro-intestinal cancer

and ready-to-eat solutions that save time dur-

worldwide, about 11 % of those due to ischemic heart

ditional cooking methods usually take up a lot

ing preparation. By including recipes on the

disease, and about 9 % of those caused by stroke.

of our time. Introducing new and alternative

packaging, we can help people discover new

Low fruit and vegetable intake is among the top 10

which amount to 400 gram of vegetables and

ways to prepare them, can provide people with

ways of using them in their meals. Introducing

selected risk factors for global mortality.

at least two pieces of fruit. It is estimated that

healthy food while giving them back some time

new varieties, colours, shapes and sizes can

worldwide we only consume about two-thirds

to do other things. We need to find ways to fit

turn fruit and vegetables into a more attractive

of that recommended amount. In Belgium, less

fruit and vegetables into our on-the-go lifestyle

proposition for consumers.

Source: United Nations General Assembly – 2021 the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables.

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Innovating for a healthier future When Bakker Barendrecht invested in a brand new, state-ofthe-art distribution centre in the Netherlands, it went all the way, also installing a fully automated citrus line.

of the fruit is checked via infrared lasers and

Closer to the markets we serve

cameras. All that data is then sent to the Manufacturing Executing System (MES) software and provides valuable feedback for the growers. The next steps are also fully automated: the citrus fruits are sorted, packed in crates, put onto pallets and then loaded in trucks.

“The new line is one of the most advanced

Over the years, Greenyard Frozen has developed an extended range of convenience products. Three new coating lines will enable our company to further expand our offering and bring production closer to the markets that are being served.

installations of its kind in Europe and takes

Besides automation, the new citrus line offers

our citrus supply chain, quality control

several other advantages: improved quality,

and processing to a whole new level”, says

higher efficiency, lower costs and reduced

Maarten Van Hamburg, Managing Director

waste. This is fully in line with Greenyard’s sus-

“Coating is the process of adding sauce or sea-

at Bakker Barendrecht.

tainability commitments. Maarten: “We don’t

soning that stick to the ingredients”, Valentijn

Poland was selected as the first location, as a

just innovate for the sake of it – we innovate

Verhaeghe, Business Unit Manager of Con-

new mixing line was already being installed

With more than 150 fully integrated

to build a better and healthier future for our

venience at Greenyard Frozen, explains. “Until

there. The line has been operational since

machines, the new citrus line automates the

customers and con-

now we had only one coating line, located in

March 2021 and is a great success. “A second

Langemark, Belgium. We used it for every

coating line is under construction in Comines,

type of coating: gratins, bakes, cauliflower

France, which will focus on poilées, a ready-

rice, vegetable mixes and ready-made meals.”

to-use mix of vegetables as elements of quick

entire process – from initial quality control to packaging. At the start, the quality

sumers.”

invest in three new coating lines, each of them strategically located close to the markets we serve.”

and healthy meals. Finally, we are also investAs demand for convenience products is

ing in a new line in the UK which is exclusively

increasing, additional capacity was needed.

dedicated to the British market and will pro-

“We decided to take a different approach and

duce our cauliflower cheese.”

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Solid foundations Sustainability is an integral part of our business. Strong governance and clear policies ensure it is embedded in our daily activities.

68 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Governance Strong governance is the backbone to drive the

markets and areas of expertise. The committee

execution of our sustainability roadmap and

meets six times a year to monitor progress, dis-

progress towards our sustainability targets. We

cuss areas requiring extra attention, and agree

have a clear structure and procedures in place as

on necessary actions. It further develops the

well as a strong governance across the business.

strategy and its targets, allocates the necessary

We consider sustainability as an integral part of

Board of Directors

resources and works with the responsible busi-

co-CEOs

ness leaders to realise the sustainability agenda.

MANAGE the vision, strategy & governance of sustainability APPROVE group programs, overall targets and means UPDATE the Board of Directors on Greenyard’s priorities & performance

our strategy. Our Board is updated on the progress we make as part of the regular business

As part of living our values, we have set up a

updates by the co-CEOs, who are ultimately

network of Sustainability Ambassadors across

responsible for the strategy and its implemen-

our company. These are employees who pro-

tation. The actual execution is done in the busi-

mote sustainability throughout the company

ness, supported and managed by the Sustaina-

by initiating, coordinating and carrying out

bility Committee, which is chaired by the Group

activities in our local subsidiaries and enti-

Sustainability Director who reports directly to

ties. The focus is on driving and support-

the co-CEOs and is responsible for the day-to-

ing the execution of the sustainability

day management of our group sustainability

roadmap, sharing initiatives and

roadmap.

expertise across the Group and

The Sustainability Committee consists of several

inspiring col-

senior representatives across various functions,

leagues.

Sustainability Committee PROPOSES strategic updates & new programs MONITORS and CONSOLIDATES global performance DRIVES key transversal initiatives PREPARES group sustainability report and group ESG ratings

Local Sustainability ambassadors COORDINATE local sustainability working groups DEFINE local strategy & objectives ENGAGE with local/organisational stakeholders MONITOR & REPORT performance to group

69 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

To ensure compliance with the sustainability

governance performance to specialist ESG rat-

strategy and communicate expectations widely,

ing agencies including CDP, Ecovadis, Gaïa Rat-

we have set up a number of policies to clarify

ing, MSCI, Refinitiv, Sustainalytics and Vigeo Eiris.

our approach. Internal Subject Matter Experts

Greenyard is also among 350 keystone compa-

are responsible for drafting policies, which are

nies which will be covered in the Food & Agri

then approved by the Sustainability Commit-

benchmark by the World Benchmarking Alli-

tee before being signed-off by the co-CEOs.

ance from this year.

Compliance with topics that are material to Greenyard’s sustainability agenda are reported

Greenyard achieved B- for both CDP Climate

annually in our Sustainability Report.

change and CDP Water security in 2020. In January 2021, Greenyard received an ESG Risk

We seek to offer ever greater transparency on the

Rating of 32.7 and was assessed by Sustain

impact of our operations and our value chain. We

alytics to be at high risk of experiencing material

plan to have our annual sustainability report and

financial impacts from ESG factors. Greenyard’s

key performance indicators externally verified

ESG Risk Rating places it 35th percentile in the

starting next financial year. To support this goal,

food products industry assessed by Sustain

a readiness assessment was carried out by our

alytics.* As of 2021 Greenyard also received an

statutory auditor in preparation of this report.

MSCI ESG Rating of A.**

In addition to this report, Greenyard discloses information about its environmental, social and

* ©2021 Sustainalytics. All rights reserved. This sustainability report contains information developed by Sustainalytics (www.sustainalytics.com). Such information and data are proprietary of Sustainalytics and/or its third party suppliers (Third Party Data) and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not constitute an endorsement of any product or project, nor an investment advice and are not warranted to be complete, timely, accurate or suitable for a particular purpose. Their use is subject to conditions available at https://www.sustainalytics.com/legal-disclaimers. ** The use by Greenyard of any MSCI ESG RESEARCH LLC or its affiliates (“MSCI”) data, and the use of MSCI logos, trademarks, service marks or index names herein, do not constitute a sponsorship, endorsement, recommendation, or promotion of Greenyard by MSCI. MSCI services and data are the property of MSCI or its information providers, and are provided ‘as-is’ and without warranty. MSCI names and logos are trademarks or service marks of MSCI.

70 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Diversity & ethical business behaviour Through our Code of Conduct, we have a set

receive a certificate when they successfully

of rules outlining the unified social norms and

complete the test.

responsibilities for all Greenyard operations and applicable to all our employees. The Code of

Employees and stakeholders are encouraged

Conduct defines our core values and the prin-

to internally report any illegal, dishonest or

ciples we live up to in the spirit of protecting our

wrongful conduct in a work-related context. To

business, respecting the people we work with

facilitate reporting, a clear and easily available

and our duty to foster nature. It explains and

whistleblowing policy has been established. The

details the commitment in the areas of diversity,

anonymity of reporting employees is guaran-

human rights, fair employment, fraud, anti-cor-

teed at all times.

ruption, environment, health and safety and privacy. We operate with a zero-tolerance for

Greenyard’s Code of Conduct is currently being

non-compliance in regard to these core ele-

reviewed to take into account regulatory devel-

ments of our Code of Conduct.

opments in terms of supplier due diligence. At the same time, a Supplier Code of Conduct is

Every person working at Greenyard is subject

being developed which highlights our expec-

to the Code. The company has made specific

tations towards suppliers and growers in terms

efforts to reach all employees by translating it

of environment, social and governance matters.

into 12 languages. To help employees under-

Both policy documents will be released in this

stand the principles, a user-friendly e-learning

financial year and will include the extension of

tool has been created and rolled out throughout

the whistleblowing policy to external stake-

the company, starting in 2020. The e-learning

holders.

is mandatory for all Greenyard employees, who

71 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Greenyard is also among the pioneering com-

actions that will enable our industry to make

company focuses on the evolution towards a

panies that signed up to the EU Code of Conduct

healthy and sustainable food choices easier.

gender balance at all levels and retaining older,

on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Prac-

experienced employees by providing a support-

tices. The Code includes a set of seven aspira-

Greenyard respects diversity in all its forms –

ive work environment. As a global player in fruit

tional objectives, each with specific targets and

nationality, religion, culture, language, age,

and vegetables Greenyard’s workforce is socially

a list of indicative, tangible and measurable

gender and sexual preference – and ensures

diverse with more than 80 different nationali-

equal opportunities for all its employees. The

ties working in the various divisions.

Diversity of our employees

Diversity of our management

16%

20%

19%

23%

26%

77%

14%

28%

47%

≤ 20 y

21-30 y

31-40 y

Female, blue collar

Male, white collar

41-50 y

51-60 y

61-70 y

Female, white collar

Male, blue collar

Male Female

72 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Food safety, quality & traceability Greenyard has a fundamental responsibility to

The company’s focus on food safety and quality

ensure people can trust the safety and quality

covers the entire production chain. All grow-

of all our products.

ers and suppliers must comply with clear and strict product specifications. When selecting

We have implemented processes across our

new suppliers, we set high standards for food

entire supply chain to ensure food safety and

safety and quality. We conduct formal risk

quality. All products supplied by Greenyard are

assessments on all our growers and suppliers,

compliant with regulatory requirements in the

using assurance schemes which comply with

EU and the country of sale as well as being safe

the Global Food Safety Initiative and review their

for consumers use and consistent in quality.

certification status every year.

Our Quality and Safety Policies outline the steps required to identify, control and monitor points

Making sure our products and ingredients are

of potential safety risk. They cover every stage of

fully traceable is a critical part of food safety, as

the supply chain and apply to all operating sites

well as a legal requirement. It also enables us

Indicator

and product categories. All sites comply with

to guarantee high-quality products and pro-

the most stringent international food quality

mote sustainability in our supply chain. Organic

standards. Within our regular quality control

and fair-trade products are supplied through

procedures, we conduct around 90,000 labo-

a chain of custody scheme, which guarantees

ratory tests on products and processing equip-

that they have been sourced in a fully sustain-

ment every year.

able way.

2019

2020/2021

Number of tests conducted on products

77,295

66,732

Number of tests conducted on equipment and facilities

22,164

29,311

Number of IFS-certified facilities

Number of BRC-certified facilities

Number of FSSC 22000-certified facilities

Number of ISO 9001-certified facilities

Number of Primus GFS-certified facilities

Number of audit days carried out by certification bodies

272

73 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Employee health, safety & well-being The hard work and commitment of our approxi-

We are working actively to minimise the number

Despite increased activities and added pressure

We actively manage our performance on

mately 9,000 employees across the globe make

of work accidents and strive towards zero acci-

on our sites due to increased consumer demand

Employee Heath and Safety at work. In addi-

Greenyard the thriving company it is today. Cre-

dents and especially a zero-accident culture.

during the pandemic, we have reduced the

tion to this we encourage all staff to maintain

ating a safe and healthy working environment

To measure our progress, we track the number,

number of injuries to 304 work accidents with

a healthy diet and take regular exercise, which

for everyone is a top priority. We want to create

frequency rate and severity rate in our sites.

lost time, a 3% decrease on a like-for-like basis.

has a positive effect on their lives, and not just

a safe harbour for our broad and diverse work-

when they are at work.

force: those working in our offices, warehouses or factories in Europe and the USA or those working remotely in the countries across the globe where we source our products from. A full breakdown can be found in the data tables of this report. All Greenyard sites have Employee Health & Safety policies in place considering the context of the location and the activities. Group coordination has been initiated since last year, with a view to share best practices between local subsidiaries, and ultimately leading to a unified Group Health, Safety & Well-being Policy. Evolution work accidents with lost time

381 340

344 304

2017

2018

2019

2020

74 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Data tables By continuously measuring our performance, we are providing stakeholders with maximum transparency into the impact of our activities and the improvements we are making.

75 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Scale of the organisation

Sustainable food supply chains Unit

Total employees, by country

FTE

2019

2020-21

ca. 9,000

Responsible sourcing

Austria

Belgium

Share of grower base certified for social compliance

Czech Republic

Volume share of Fair Trade products Fresh segment

3.7

France

Volume share of organic products Fresh segment

8.2

5.5

Germany

Volume share of organic products Long Fresh segment

3.8

3.6

Italy

Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Spain

United Kingdom

United States

Overseas sales & sourcing offices

Note: As from this year Greenyard aligned its non-financial figures with its financial year. In previous years, non-financial figures covered the calendar year. Whilst not allowing for strict year-on-year comparisons, the data offer fair insights in the developments of our KPIs.

Unit

2019

2020-21

76 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Improving our footprint Climate action

Zero waste Unit

2019

2020-21

Unit

2019

2020-21

Scope 1 GHG emissions

Ton CO2-eq

77,903

81,440

Volume of food donated to charities

Ton

1,648

2,112

Scope 2 GHG emissions – Location based

Ton CO2-eq

91,004

87,081

Volume of waste materials, by waste stream

Ton

200,771

197.309

Scope 2 GHG emissions – Market based

Ton CO2-eq

62,686

Waste to be re-used

61.1

58.9

MWh

346,265

388,499

Waste for recycling

35.2

37.3

2.2

2.9

Total fuel consumption, by fuel type Natural gas

82.9

81.2

Waste for energy recovery

Fuel oil for transport

16.9

12.5

Landfill or incineration without energy recovery

Other sources

0.2

0.3

Total electricity consumption, by energy source

MWh

308,419

306,144

Non-renewable energy from a variety of fuel sources

Renewable energy self-generated or purchased

MWh/ton

0.76

0.73

Energy-intensity Long Fresh segment

Water stewardship

Volume of freshwater consumption, by source

Unit

2019

2020-21

Million m³

4.490

4.783

Municipal water

Groundwater

Rainwater

m³/ton

6.52

6.31

Million m³

4.066

Surface water

Third party

Water intensity Long Fresh segment Volume of effluent water discharged, by destination

1.5

0.9

Volume of hazardous waste

Ton

107

Volume of primary packaging, by material

Ton

79,211

82,859

Glass

49.3

52.4

Metal

31.8

28.1

Plastic

14.6

16.1

Cardboard

3.6

3.4

Wood

0.7

0.02

Primary packaging material that is recyclable

Unit

2019

2020-21

94.3

94.6

Number

Supporting healthy lifestyles Value share of fruit & vegetable products Reformulated products introduced with reduced salt or sugar levels

77 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

Solid foundations Diversity & ethical business behaviour Unit

2019

2020-21

Unit

2019

2020-21

Female

Reported/registered breaches against the Greenyard Code of Conduct

Number

Male

Lawsuits or fines for non-compliance with regulations related to wellbeing and social matters

Number

Female

Lawsuits or fines for non-compliance with regulations regarding corruption and fraud

Number

Male

Unit

2019

2020-21

100

Days

272

Analyses on products

Number

77,295

66,732

Analyses on equipment and facilities

Number

22,164

29,311

Gender distribution amongst employees

Gender distribution amongst management

Age distribution amongst employees ≤20

21-30

31-40

41-50

51-60

61-70

Facilities operating to an international food safety system Audit days carried out by certification bodies

Employee Health, Safety and Well-being

Employee workplace Office employee

Warehouse/operations employee

Own vs third-party employees Own employees

Third-party employees

Share of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements

Food safety, Quality and Traceability

Unit

2019

2020-21

Work-related accidents wit lost time

Number

344

304

Frequency rate Long Fresh segment*

Number

Severity rate Long Fresh segment*

Number

0.55

0.95

Hours

11.1

9.4

Average hours of training per employee * Data for the Fresh segment will be made available as from next edition.

GRI content index

78 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

79 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

General Disclosures

2. Strategy

1. Organizational profile

102-14

Statement from senior decision-maker

Message from the co-CEOs, p.3

102-1

Name of the organization

About Greenyard

102-2

Activities, brands, products and services

- Greenyard’s integrated value chain, p.14-16 - Greenyard Annual Report 2020/2021, p.24-25

102-3

Location of headquarters

About Greenyard

102-4

Location of operations

Greenyard’s integrated value chain, p.16

102-5

Ownership and legal form

About Greenyard

4. Governance

102-6

Markets served

Greenyard’s integrated value chain, p.14-16

102-18

102-7

Scale of the organization

- About Greenyard - Greenyard Annual Report 2020/2021, p.24-25, 128 - Data tables, p.75-77

5. Stakeholder engagement 102-40

List of stakeholder groups

Stakeholder engagement, p.23-24

102-8

Information on employees and other workers

Data tables p.77

102-41

Collective bargaining agreements

Data tables, p.77

102-9

Supply chain

Greenyard’s integrated value chain, p.14-16

102-42

Significant changes to the organization and its supply chain.

About this report, p.3

Identifying and selecting stakeholders

Stakeholder engagement, p.23-24

102-10

102-43

Approach to stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder engagement, p.23-24

102-11

Precautionary Principle or approach

- Our purpose, p.10-11 - Materiality assessment p.25

102-44

Key topics and concerns raised

Stakeholder engagement, p.23-24

102-12

External initiatives

- Alliance for Water Stewardship - CDP - European Plastics Pact - EU Code of conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices - Gaïa rating - MSCI - Refinitiv - Science Based Targets initiative - Sustainalytics - Sustainability Initiative Fruit and Vegetables (SIFAV 2025) - TCFD - Vigeo Eiris - World Benchmarking Alliance

102-13

Membership of associations

Stakeholder engagement p.24

3. Ethics and Integrity 102-16

Values, principles, standards, and norms of behavior

- Greenyard’s sustainability model, p.17 - Governance, p.68 - Diversity & ethical business behaviour, p.70 - Greenyard Code of Conduct

Governance structure

Governance, p.68

6. Reporting practice 102-45

Entities included in the consolidated financial statements

About this report

102-46

Defining report content and topic boundaries

- About this report p.3 - Materiality assessment p.25 - Governance p.68

102-47

List of material topics

Materiality assessment, p.25

102-48

Restatements of information

Data tables, p.74

102-49

Changes in reporting

There are no significant changes compared to the previous reporting period.

80 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

102-50

Reporting period

About this report

GRI 301: MATERIALS 2016 (Material topic: Waste management)

102-51

Date of most recent report

About this report

301

102-52

Reporting cycle

About this report

Management approach disclosures

102-53

Contact point for questions regarding the report

sustainability@greenyard.group

102-54

Claims of reporting in accordance with the GRI standards

About this report

102-55

GRI Content Index

GRI Content Index, p.78

102-56

External assurance

Governance, p.68

103-1: - Sustainability model, p.17 - Sustainability pillars, p.19 - Materiality assessment, p.25 - Zero waste, p.49-51 103-2: - Key commitments and targets for 2025, p.20 - Zero waste, p.49-51 - Sustainable packaging, p.52-53 - Moerman’s ladder, p.60 103-3: - Zero waste, p.49-51 - Data tables, p.76

301-1

Materials used by weight or volume

- Zero waste, p.49-51 - Data tables, p.76

Own indicator

Primary packaging material that is recyclable

Data tables, p.76

Specific Disclosures

GRI 204: PROCUREMENT PRACTICES 2016 (Material topic : Responsible sourcing) 204

Management approach disclosures

103-1: - Sustainability model, p.17 - Sustainability pillars, p.19 - Materiality assessment, p.25 - Greenyard’s integrated value chain, p.14-16 - Responsible and sustainable sourcing, p.38-39 103-2: - Greenyard’s Integrated value chain, p.8-11 - Key commitments and targets for 2025, p.20 - Greenyard sustainable agriculture, p.36-37 - Responsible and sustainable sourcing, p.38-39 103-3: - Greenyard at a glance, p.7 - Responsible and sustainable sourcing, p.38-39 - Data tables, p.75

Own indicator

Share of grower base certified for social compliance

- Responsible and sustainable sourcing, p.38-39 - Data tables, p.75

Own indicator

Volume share of Fair Trade products Fresh segment

- Responsible and sustainable sourcing, p.38-39 - Data tables, p.75

GRI 302: ENERGY 2016 (Material topic: Energy & emissions) 302

Management approach disclosures

103-1: - Sustainability model, p.17 - Sustainability pillars, p.19 - Materiality assessment, p.25 - Climate action, p.45-46 103-2: - Key commitments and targets for 2025, p.20 - Climate action, p.45-46 103-3: - Climate action, p.45-46 - Data tables, p.76

302-1

Energy consumption within the organization

- Climate action, p.45-46 - Data tables, p.76

302-3

Energy intensity

- Climate action, p.45-46 - Data tables, p.76

81 / GR E E NYARD S US TAINABILIT Y R E PORT 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1

GRI 303: WATER and EFFLUENTS 2018 (material topic: Water management)

GRI 305: EMISSIONS 2016 (Material topic: Energy & emissions)

303

Management approach disclosures

103-1: - Sustainability model, p.17 - Sustainability pillars, p.19 - Materiality assessment, p.25 - Water stewardship, p.47-48 103-2: - Key commitments and targets for 2025, p.20 - Water stewardship, p.47-48 103-3: - Water stewardship, p.47-48 - Data tables, p.76

305

Management approach disclosures

303-1

Management approach disclosures: Interactions with water as a shared resource

Water stewardship, p.47-48

305-1

Direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 1)

- Climate action, p.45-46 - Data tables, p.76

303-2

Management approach disclosures: Management of water discharge-related impacts

Water stewardship, p.47-48

305-2

Energy indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 2)

- Climate action, p.45-46 - Data tables, p.76

305-3

Other indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 3)

- Climate action, p.45-46

Own indicator

Volume of freshwater consumption, by source

Data tables, p.76

Own indicator

Water intensity Long Fresh segment

Data tables, p.76

Own indicator

Volume of effluent water discharged Long Fresh segment

Data tables, p.76

Own indicator

Overall water risk Greenyard volumes

Water stewardship, p.47-48

Greenyard (Euronext Brussels: GREEN) is a global market leader of fresh, frozen and prepared

In case you have any questions, please contact:

fruit & vegetables, flowers and plants. Counting Europe’s leading retailers amongst its

corporate.communications@greenyard.group

customer base, Greenyard provides efficient and sustainable solutions to customers and

sustainability@greenyard.group

suppliers through best-in-class products, market leading innovation, operational excellence and outstanding service. Our vision is to make lives healthier by helping people enjoy fruit & vegetables at any moment, easy, fast and pleasurable, whilst fostering nature. With more than 9,000 employees operating in 19 countries worldwide, Greenyard identifies its people and key customer and supplier relationships as the key assets which enable it to deliver goods and services worth approx. € 4,4 billion per annum.

Greenyard NV / Strijbroek 10 / 2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver / Belgium

About Greenyard